The start of the new year usually comes with the start of new goals and objectives. For Alejandro Bedoya, that probably means trying to earn more minutes beginning with this weekend’s Coupe de France tilt.

Bedoya and FC Nantes will enter the tournament in its ninth round on Saturday, as they visit underdog Blanc Mesnil. Bedoya has not started many games for Nantes through the first half of the 2015-16 campaign – eight to be exact – but could change that for the better with an impressive showing. The U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder will also be keen on scoring a goal if he does see the field for his side given that he has yet to open his account this season.

Another midfielder who will be hoping to see time again for his respective club is Gedion Zelalem. Rangers takes on Dumbarton in a road game on Saturday, and Zelalem will be eager to be a part of the Scottish Championship leader’s lineup after failing to play in either of the last two games. Zelalem has not been counted on in a match since Dec. 12, and snapping that spell of inactivity while helping Rangers pick up three more points is surely on the youngster’s mind.

Most of the weekend action takes place on Saturday, but there is also one intriguing affair involving an American on Sunday. Tim Howard and Everton welcome Tottenham to Goodison Park in a showdown of teams thinking about Europe, and the Toffees need a victory in order to try and close the gap between themselves and the English Premier League’s lone UEFA Europa League spot. Howard and Everton are currently five points shy of that coveted position, but might be able to leapfrog several clubs with a win at the start of 2016.

Here is who the Americans Abroad battle this weekend:

SATURDAY

DeAndre Yedlin, Lynden Gooch and Sunderland play Brad Guzan and Aston Villa.

Geoff Cameron and Stoke City play West Bromwich Albion.

Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City play Brentford.

Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest play Charlton Athletic.

Tim Ream, Emerson Hyndman and Fulham play Sheffield Wednesday.

Cody Cropper and Milton Keynes Dons play Leeds United.

Danny Williams and Reading play Bristol City.

Gedion Zelalem and Rangers play Dumbarton.

Alejandro Bedoya and FC Nantes play Blanc Mesnil in the Coupe de France.

SUNDAY

Tim Howard and Everton play Tottenham Hotspur.

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Which of these matches are you most looking forward to? Do you see Bedoya getting a start for Nantes? Expecting Zelalem to return to the starting lineup for Rangers?

Share your thoughts below.