SATURDAY FEATURES A TRIO of intriguing games for U.S. national team obsessives, beginning with Timothy Chandler and Nuremberg taking on Bayern Munich. The game may end up an absolute slaughter, but Chandler has been killing it in recent weeks, and he seems motivated to make it to Brazil.

Or at least Kharviv. Either way, we'll be watching.

And then there's Jozy Altidore. Has he turned the corner? Did that cheeky back heel change everything? Jurgen Klinsmann hopes so, and he will be hovering all over that match in his Black Hawk or whatever it is that he flies from Orange County to Carson, Calif., when he's fed up with the traffic on I-5.

Brad Guzan is beyond a long shot to start in Brazil, but Tim Howard is no spring chicken, so checking in with the Wedding Video Guy is always a good idea, too.

Sunday brings its own intrigue, as Clint Dempsey and Fulham tackle their top-tier counterparts, Manchester United. Here's our curated guide to what to watch this weekend.

Saturday

Nurnberg vs. Bayern Munich
9:30 a.m.
GolTV
Chandler's string of fantastic performances lately have gotten him back on some pundits' World Cup radar, and this is a test for the revitalized right back to show off on American TV against arguably the best club team in the world. Bayern Munich remains undefeated in league play, and host a +42 goal differential, scoring 2.5 per game and only conceding 0.5. Nurnberg is in bad shape, despite going undefeated in its last five—winning two and tying three. The club is only safe from relegation on goal differential, but it sits three points out of relative safety in the top 12.

Sunderland vs. Hull City
10:00 a.m. (all times Eastern)
NBC Sports Live Extra
Sunderland's hot streak continues as it has now won seven of its last eight games, including three of its last four league games, to climb out of the relegation zone. Altidore has a ton of pressure on him right now, but he responded well last week, earning praise from manager Gus Poyet. A battle against the struggling Tigers is a good chance to get on the score sheet. Hull City is winless in its last five, and dropping down the table like a stone in the sea.

Aston Villa vs. West Ham
10:00 a.m.
NBC Sports Live Extra
Brad Guzan lost the keeper duel last week, but he can bounce back against the Hammers, a club currently in the relegation zone. An important point: As strong as Guzan's play has been this season, and as pretty as Villa's top 10 spot looks, it is only five points outside of relegation right now, with 1...2.....3....a lot of games to play. Aston Villa must win these matches against the bottom half of the table.

Sunday

Nantes vs. Olympic Lyon
8:00 a.m.
beIn Sports Play
This is a big game for Alejandro Bedoya and Nantes, who have been dropping points in their last several contests. A win could pull the club back into the top five, where Lyon current sit. Bedoya didn't get into the recent cup match against PSG, but he has remained a fixture in the starting lineup for league games. Expect to see a lot of him in this one.

Manchester United vs. Fulham
11:00 a.m.
USA, NBC Sports Live Extra
Clint Dempsey showed signs of life in Fulham's gutting, extra-time loss to Sheffield United on Tuesday. And maybe a game against the struggling Red Devils can provide a certain kind of spark to lift him up. Dempsey's struggles have been plain to see during this loan period, but he appears to be getting back on track, and this could be a game to watch.

NO U.S. ANGLE...

England: Arsenal vs. Liverpool (7:45 a.m., Saturday, NBC Sports Live Extra)—A battle of superstars is taking place on Saturday, as Arsenal and Liverpool clash. Luis Suarez is unstoppable. Arsenal have played with fire and come through relatively unscathed. Something has to give in the clash of the titans.

So what are you watching this week? Let us know in comments section below.

Christopher McCollum is a New York City-based writer and an ASN contributor.