Aussies Abroad weekend preview: Jones targets silverware in KNVB Cup showdown

Caltex Socceroos goalkeeper Brad Jones is 90 minutes away from adding another major trophy to his growing collection of silverware in the Netherlands.

His nerves will be shared by his compatriots in the Championship, where two international team-mates are set to go head-to-head at the pointy end of the season.

With Premier League stars Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy cooling their heels this weekend, check out what's ahead of some of our other representatives in Europe this weekend.

JONES TO FEATURE IN CUP FINAL

FIFA World Cup hopeful Brad Jones will be attempting to win a third domestic trophy with Feyenoord when they meet AZ Alkmaar in the KNVB Cup final early Monday morning (AEST).

Feyenoord beat newly-crowned Eredivisie champions PSV on the way to the decider and are now looking to claim the silverware for a 13th time, having most recently prevailed in 2016.

Jones joined after that success and now has the chance to add to the league title he won last term, along with the Johan Cruyff Shield secured at the start of the current campaign.

Ajax, with 18 triumphs, are on the only club to have claimed the Cup more times than Feyenoord, while AZ - who lost 2-0 to Vitesse 12 months ago - are chasing a fifth win.

The final will be held at De Kuip in Rotterdam.

Brad Jones
Brad Jones is on the cusp of more success in the Netherlands.

AUSSIES CLASH IN CHAMPIONSHIP

Having drifted four points off the Championship's play-off pace, Bailey Wright's Bristol City (65 points) will view Saturday night's (AEST) home encounter with Hull City as a must-win.

Jackson Irvine could be the man to end the Robins' hopes once for an all as his Tigers look to play with the freedom of knowing they are effectively safe from relegation.

Millwall (69 points) are the team the chasing pack have in their sights.

Every result matters to the in-form Lions and a tough final three fixtures that could make or break Tim Cahill and James Meredith's chances of remaining sixth begins against third-placed Fulham (82 points) on Saturday morning (AEST).

Fulham are just one point shy of an automatic promotion spot, while Mile Jedinak's Aston Villa (79 points) are also an outside possibility of reeling in Cardiff City (83 points) and can boost those prospects in a trip to Ipswich Town late Saturday night (AEST).

There's less at stake for QPR in their visit to Brentford, although Massimo Luongo will want to carry strong form through his final three fixtures.

Bailey Wright and Jackson Irvine
Bailey Wright and Jackson Irvine will be on opposite sides at Ashton Gate.

REST OF EUROPE

Mathew Leckie and Hertha Berlin face a difficult test away to seventh-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, who are managed by Bayern Munich-bound Niko Kovac, a scorer against Australia at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Win on Saturday night (AEST) and Leckie's men would still be a slim chance of making a late push into the European places.

Elsewhere in Germany, Robbie Kruse's VfL Bochum have closed to within six points of a 2.Bundesliga promotion play-off spot and need to keep their run going at Greuther Furth, while Brandon Borrello and bottom-placed FC Kaiserslautern could be down if they don't beat Dynamo Dresden.

In Belgium, Danny Vukovic is another still in contention for European qualification as KRC Genk look to boost their Europa League hopes in a visit from title-chasing Anderlecht.

Aziz Behich has other matters to worry about with Turkish side Bursaspor, who have lost four of five, needing a result at relegated Karabukspor to stem their slide toward the bottom three.

Fellow defender Trent Sainsbury is in a similar position in Switzerland, where Grasshopper Zurich are looking to steer clear of danger at home to Lugano.

Tomi Juric's Luzern are safe in mid-table and, after a trip to Lausanne, could break into the top four with a quick turnaround to a home clash against FC Zurich.

In France's Ligue 2, Caltex Socceroos hopeful Alex Gersbach and his Lens side are looking to climb the ladder in a visit from Le Havre.

Brandon Borrello
Brandon Borrello needs a result in Germany.

ASIA

Andrew Nabbout has made an encouraging start to life in Japan with four wins in his past four appearances for Urawa Red Diamonds and the winger should hold his place for the clash with Consadole Sapporo on Saturday evening.

Yokohama F Marinos' form hasn't been as convincing, but Milos Degenek can help turn that around at home to fellow strugglers Shonan Bellmare.

Mitchell Duke's Shimizu S Pulse have the early Saturday kick-off against fifth-placed FC Tokyo, while Nagoya Grampus and goalkeeper Mitch Langerak will be eager to build on their midweek Cup win by nabbing a result at Vissel Kobe.

Over in the K-League, Matt Jurman is hoping to see his first minutes of the campaign as Suwon Bluewings head to Kwabena Appiah's Incheon United.

Another Aussie defender, Dylan McGowan, could earn a recall for Gangwon's trip to Jeonnam Dragons.

Matt Jurman
Matt Jurman is a chance to face compatriot Kwabena Appiah in Korea.