AMSTERDAM — It's to be a weekend filled with away tests for Americans in Europe, including three on teams chasing after the league crown. All times are ET.
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Kilmarnock vs. Rangers
Sunday, 7:30 am
American: Maurice Edu ('Gers)
The US midfielder and his mates have a very simple three-peat task on closing day: beat Killie and win the title. The Light Blues hold a one-point edge on Celtic, but they have an inferior goal differential so anything less than a win invites heartbreak.
Providing confidence for the trip, Rangers have won 12 of the last 14 times at Rugby Park and have not lost there since 1994. The visitors also arrive with a clean bill of health. Meanwhile, Kilmarnock will be without suspended Finland playmaker Alexei Eremenko, as well as stalwart back line duo Mahamadou Sissoko and Frazer Wright.
BELGIAN JUPILER LEAGUE
Standard Liège vs. Anderlecht
Sunday, 2 pm
American: Sacha Kljestan (AND)
The former Chivas USA ace should retain his two-way midfield place when the Mauves try to make the last day of the season meaningful by winning at arch rivals Standard in the next-to-last round. Depending on the Genk result at Gent, third place Anderlecht could go level on points in a three tangle at the top with a win.
However, the Sunday visitors have won just once from their last 10 trips to Sclessin. Anderlecht will be missing Jonathan Legear, but may return Kanu and skipper Olivier Deschacht. Standard, who have won six straight at home with four shutouts, are largely fit.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Birmingham City vs. Fulham
Sunday, 11 am on FoxSoccer.tv
American: Clint Dempsey (FUL)
The most important matter for the Cottagers is keeping their nose clean, what with a UEFA Fair Play invite to Europa League within reach. Of course, stalwart starter Dempsey also bears watching as he chases down goal milestones. Deuce, currently tied for 10th on the EPL scoring chart, hit his first career goal against the Blues to level their November meeting.
Fulham have somewhat enjoyed visiting St. Andrews of late, with three wins and five draws from the last 10 there. The guests will arrive without ankle victims Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera, while Birmingham must make do without Craig Gardner, Liam Ridgewell and Nikola Zigic.
Blackburn vs. Manchester United
Saturday, 7:45 am on ESPN2/ESPN3.com
American: Jermaine Jones (BLA)
Jones & Co. are charged with the tall task of delaying United's title celebrations while also fighting off the drop. With just one win in 13, Rovers stand three points and three places above the trap door with two games to play. They will tackle this assignment without their skipper, former D.C. United defender Ryan Nelsen.
On their side, Edwin van der Sar is slated to get a rest in the opposite goal and Ewood Park is a place were the Red Devils can stumble. Blackburn have three wins and six draws from their last 11 visits. Manchester United have struggled away from Old Trafford this season, with just one win in the last five on the road and five from 18 all term. Back in November, though, United drilled Rovers 7-1 behind a five-spot from Dimitar Berbatov.
Wigan vs. West Ham United
Sunday, 11 am on FoxSoccer.tv
American: Jonathan Spector (WHU)
If likely midfield starter Spector and the Hammers have any intention of staying up, this is a true must-win game. West Ham are bottom with two games left, but only four points from safety. They are also winless in seven heading to Wigan, a club they've topped four of the last five times out.
West Ham are sweating the availability of midfielders Mark Noble, Gary O'Neil and Scott Parker, while the Latics are hoping to return top winger Charles N'Zogbia. Much more painful is the fact that Wigan have won but twice in their last 10 home games.
Best of the rest:
EPL: Arsenal vs. Aston Villa (Brad Friedel, Michael Bradley) - Sun. 11 am on Fox Soccer Plus
EPL: West Bromwich Albion vs. Everton - Sat. 7:45 am on FoxSoccer.tv
Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (Ricardo Clark - doubtful) - Sat. 9:30 am on Dish German Sports
Bundesliga: Hannover 96 (Steve Cherundolo, DaMarcus Beasley) vs. FC Nürnberg (Timothy Chandler) - Sat. 9:30 am on Dish German Sports
Ligue 1: Saint-Étienne (Carlos Bocanegra) vs. Rennes - Sun. 11 am on FoxSoccer.tv/TV5 USA
Eredivisie: Ajax vs. FC Twente (Oguchi Onyewu - doubtful) - Sun. 8:30 am on ESPN3.com/Eredivisie.tv
Danish SAS Liga: FC Midtjylland vs. Brøndby (Clarence Goodson) - Sun. noon
Danish SAS Liga: FC Nordsjælland (Michael Parkhurst) vs. Silkeborg - Sun. 10 am
Norwegian Tippeligaen: Stabæk (Mikkel Diskerud) vs. Sogndal - Sun. noon
Swedish Allsvenskan: Malmö FF vs. Örebro (Alejandro Bedoya) - Sun. 8 am
Swedish Allsvenskan: Gefle vs. Djurgårdens (Gale Agbossoumonde) - Sun. 8 am
Israeli Ligat Ha'al: Maccabi Netanya (Leo Krupnick) vs. B'nei Yehuda Tel Aviv - Sat. 12:30 am
2.Bundesliga: Ingolstadt (Edson Buddle) vs. VfL Osnabrück (interim manager Joe Enochs) - Sun. 7:30 am
Turkish Bank Asya 1.Lig: Samsunspor vs. Rizespor (Freddy Adu) - Sun. 7 am
