American Exports: Weekend preview

AMSTERDAM — Several players given a midweek US national team breather are set for tough league challenges this weekend. All times are ET.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Bolton vs. Newcastle United

Saturday, 10 a.m. on FoxSoccer.tv

American: Stuart Holden (BOL)

A couple of teams off to somewhat surprising starts meet up at the Reebok, with Holden set for one of his toughest assignments of the season. Former Bolton ace Kevin Nolan runs the middle for the Magpies and co-leads the EPL with teammate Andy Carroll with seven goals. However, both Joey Barton and Cheikh Tioté are suspended for this one. Wanderers have won six of the last seven home clashes with Newcastle.

Fulham vs. Manchester City

Sunday, 11 a.m. on Fox Soccer Channel

Americans: Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson (FUL)

Winless in their last four Craven Cottage meetings, Fulham will try to tackle fourth-place City. Surefire starter Dempsey has three career league goals against Man. City, but none of them at home. The visitors will arrive having won just once in five and perhaps without defenders Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards. Fulham, meanwhile, are missing left back Carlos Salcido and bookend Chris Baird's availability status is questionable. If the Cottagers win, Holden's Wanderers can ascend to the fourth spot in the table with a win against Newcastle.

LA LIGA

Villarreal vs. Valencia

Saturday, noon

American: Jozy Altidore (V'real)

The US striker will again be available for relief duty when the Yellow Submarine face neighboring archrivals Valencia in a battle for third place. Villarreal have won 15 of 16 games at El Madrigal, as well as the past three home derbies by a combined 8-1 count. The visitors will have several key absences; David Albelda is serving a ban, starting keeper César and handyman Jérémy Mathieu are ruled out, and wing star Juan Mata is doubtful.

BUNDESLIGA

Hannover 96 vs. Hamburg

Saturday, 9:30 a.m. on Dish German Sports

Americans: DaMarcus Beasley (H96)

The Reds will need to battle HSV without suspended captain Steve Cherundolo, but Beasley could play a key role in this regional fight to stay near European places. Standing just a point shy of seventh-place Hannover, the guests will arrive far less than fit; Dennis Aogo, Romeo Castelen, Guy Demel, Marcell Jansen, Gojko Kacar, Joris Mathijsen and first-string netminder Frank Rost headline a long injury list. The '96ers, beaten by Hamburg just once in the last eight AWD-Arena meetings, have added Mohammed Abdellaoue and Karim Haggui to their shelf.

LIGUE 1

Saint-Étienne vs. Auxerre

Saturday, 1 p.m.

American: Carlos Bocanegra (ASSE)

The USMNT skipper is slated to start, but it remains to be seen exactly where. After their match with Valenciennes was postponed last week,Les Vertsdropped all the way to 10th place in a tightly packed Ligue 1, but are just four points off the top with a game in hand on seven above them including Saturday's guests, who have won six in a seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. However, Auxerre have only won once on their last eight trips to Saint-Étienne. Both sides are in with nearly complete selections available.

Best of the Rest

Bundesliga: Eintracht Frankfurt (Ricardo Clark) vs. Hoffenheim - Sat. 9:30 a.m. on Dish German Sports

Bundesliga: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Mainz 05 - Sat. 9:30 a.m. on ESPN3.com/Dish German Sports

Bundesliga: Schalke 04 (Jermaine Jones) vs. Werder Bremen - Sat. 9:30 a.m. on GolTV/Dish German Sports

EPL: Blackburn vs. Aston Villa (Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj) - Sun. 8:30 a.m. on Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer.tv

RPL: Sibir Novosibirsk vs. Tom Tomsk (Eugene Starikov) - Sun. 6 a.m.

SAS Liga: FC Copenhagen vs. FC Nordsjælland (Michael Parkhurst) - Sun. 10 a.m.

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