A few of Australia’s overseas brigade will be involved in some vital matches this weekend, with a couple of Caltex Socceroos gloveman set for some huge Cup matches in their respective countries.
And with Caltex Socceroos boss Bert van Marwijk trimming his squad for the upcoming friendlies against Norway and Colombia, many of our Aussies abroad will have extra confidence when they hit the pitch.
Check in with where the national team hopefuls are headed this weekend.
KEEPERS EYEING CUP SUCCESS
Danny Vukovic could cap his inclusion in the Caltex Socceroos squad this week by winning some silverware with his Belgian side Genk on Sunday (6.45am AEDT).
Genk takes on Standard Liege in the final of the Beker van Belgie (Belgium Cup) as they look to claim the first trophy of the domestic season.
Vukovic played a key role in the club’s progression to the final, keeping a clean sheet in the second leg 1-0 win which saw his side advance on away goals.
He isn’t the only keeper set for a huge Cup match, with fellow Aussie gloveman Mat Ryan a chance to be in goal when his Brighton travels to Old Trafford for an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
The Red Devils are hurting from their elimination from the UEFA Champions League in midweek and with Ryan in top form, they could be vulnerable against the impressive Seagulls.
The match will be shown live on Australian TV, kicking off at 6.45am AEDT on ESPN.
PALACE VISIT MOOY’S TERRIERS
It’s another relegation six-pointer for Aaron Mooy’s Huddersfield as 18th-placed Crystal Palace come to John Smith’s Stadium.
Mooy made a successful return from a knee injury in last week’s stalemate against Swansea and will be key if the 15th-place Terriers are to ease their relegation hopes with a win.
Huddersfield prevailed 3-0 at Selhurst Park when the two sides met on the opening weekend of the season in August.
Elsewhere in England and defender Callum Elder will also be chasing FA Cup success as his Wigan host Southampton in a quarter-final tie, shown live in Australia on ESPN at 12.30am on Monday morning (AEDT).
The League One Latics have been the giant-killers of the FA Cup, eliminating EPL leaders Manchester City in the previous round.
LUONGO’S BATTLE WITH CHAMPIONSHIPS HOTTEST TEAM
Unbeaten in their last three games, Massimo Luongo’s QPR face a stern test of their recent resurgence when they had to Craven Cottage to play in-form Fulham.
The London club are fourth and pushing for an automatic promotion spot on the back of a 15-game unbeaten run.
You can watch QPR’s trip to Fulham live on Bein Sports 2 at 11.30pm AEDT on Saturday night.
Luongo is coming off a full 90 minutes in midweek where he won the midfield battle against fellow Caltex Socceroo Mile Jedinak as QPR upset Aston Villa.
Still on Jedinak, and his Villa will be confident of bouncing back from that defeat as they travel to lowly Bolton Wanderers on Sunday morning (AEDT).
The match will also be shown live in Australia on Bein Sports 2, kicking off at 4.30am.
Elsewhere, Jackson Irvine’s Hull City will be hoping to pull further away from the relegation zone as they head to fellow strugglers Birmingham City.
Irvine has had a goal and assist from his last two outings for the Tigers.
Tim Cahill and James Meredith should both be in the Millwall squad for their clash with Barnsley, while Bailey Wright’s Bristol City need to win against Ipswich to reignite their promotion hopes.
REST OF EUROPE
Tom Rogic will be after another goal as league-leaders Celtic head to Motherwell in an SPL clash live on Bein Sports 1 on Monday morning at 1.15am (AEDT).
Jamie Maclaren is also looking for a goal in back-to-back matches as his Hibernian side are away at St Johnstone on Saturday morning (6.45am AEDT).
In Germany, Mathew Leckie’s Hertha Berlin are on the road and will start favourites against Hamburger, who appear destined for relegation to the 2.Bundesliga.
Speaking of Germany’s second tier, Robbie Kruse will be in action there, with his VFL Bochum travelling to play Sandhausen, while Brandon Borrello’s Kaiserslautern host St Pauli.
Elsewhere on the continent, new Caltex Socceroos squad member Aleksandar Susnjar will warm up for his possible first international cap next week as his Mlada Boleslav play Slovacko in the Czech Republic.
It’s a big weekend for Craig Goodwin and Kenny Dougall’s Sparta Rotterdam, taking on Eredivisie giants Ajax.
Brad Jones will be between the sticks for Feyenoord as they head to PEC Zwolle, while Ajdin Hrutic’s Groningen are at AZ Alkmaar.
Over in Switzerland, Tomi Juric will look to add to his six goals in the Swiss Super League as they travel to Lugano.
Aziz Behich’s Bursaspor host Sivasspor in Turkey, while fellow left-back Alex Gersbach should be in the starting side for Lens for their trip to Reims in Ligue 2 in France.
ASIA
In Japan, Andrew Nabbout’s new club Urawa Reds host Milos Degenek and Ange Postecoglou’s Yokohama F.Marinos.
Mitch Duke’s Shimizu S-Pulse welcome Vegalta Sendai to their stadium, while Mitch Langerak should be in goal as Nagoya Grampus take on Kawasaki Frontale.
Matt Jurman’s Suwon Bluewings are at home to Pohang Steelers in the K-League, while in Saudi Arabia Mark Milligan’s Al Ahli travel to play Al Raed.