It looms as a big weekend for a number of Aussies playing in Europe and Asia with spots in Bert van Marwijk’s FIFA World Cup squad up for grabs.
Van Marwijk named a preliminary 32-man Socceroos squad on Monday but will make further cuts next week with only 26 or 27 players to be chosen for Australia’s pre-World Cup camp in Turkey.
And with one last chance to impress, Socceroo hopefuls will be desperate to put their best foot forward with a spot in Russia up for grabs.
Here’s a wrap of Aussies in action across Europe and Asia over the coming days.
ENGLAND
With their Premier League status secured, Aaron Mooy’s Huddersfield Town will have nothing to lose when they host Arsenal on Monday morning.
Mooy set up the crucial goal against Chelsea which ensured Huddersfield’s survival and will be keen to put in another impressive shift against the Gunners.
Similarly, Mat Ryan’s Brighton are safe from relegation but will be desperate to bounce back from a last-start loss to Manchester City.
With Brad Jones and Danny Vukovic circling, Ryan will want to put in a solid display against Liverpool.
In the Championship, Mile Jedinak will be in action for Aston Villa in the first leg of their Promotion Playoff away to Middlesbrough (2:15AM Sunday AEST).
Jedinak is expected to again start in the heart of defence as Villa look to earn a positive result ahead of the return leg on Wednesday (AEST).
GERMANY
In the Bundesliga, Mathew Leckie’s Hertha Berlin wrap up the Bundesliga season with a home fixture against RB Leipzig.
In the second tier, Robbie Kruse will be in action as VFL Bochum play host to fifth-placed to Jahn Regensburg.
SCOTLAND
In the Scottish Premiership, Tom Rogic will be in action as Champions Celtic play host to Aberdeen in a top of the table clash to finish the season (Sunday, AEST).
Elsewhere, recalled Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren will be desperate to get his name on the scoresheet as Hibernian welcome Rangers to Easter Road on Sunday (AEST).
REST OF EUROPE
In France, Alex Gersbach will be hoping to see some action for Lens as they welcome Auxerre in Ligue 2 (Saturday AEST).
In the Belgium Pro League, Danny Vukovic will be between the posts as Genk host Gent on Friday (AEST).
Aziz Behich will be in action on Sunday in the Turkish Super Lig with Bursaspor tackling Trabzonspor at home.
In Switzerland, Trent Sainsbury will continue his return to full fitness with an away trip to Tomi Juric’s FC Luzern (Monday AEST). Juric is likely to miss the clash with a minor injury.
A surprise call-up to van Marwijk’s Socceroos squad, fullback Fran Karacic will be eager to impress as Lokomotiva Zagreb travel to Inter Zapresic in the Croatian first division (Sunday AEST).
In the Czech Republic, Aleksandar Susnjar will be another new face out to prove his worth when Mlada Boleslav travel to tackle Bohemians 1905 on Monday (AEST).
Susnjar’s side sit just above the relegation zone with three matches remaining.
JAPAN & KOREA
Mitch Langerak’s struggling Nagoya Grampus desperately need a win when they travel to V-Varen Nagasaki in the J-League on Saturday (AEST).
Elsewhere, Milos Degenek will be in action as Yokohama F Marinos play host to Gamba Osaka.
Andrew Nabbout’s Urawa Reds face Sagan Tosu on Sunday (AEST).
In Korea, Matt Jurman’s Suwon Bluewings host Daegu in the K-League on Sunday.
