The weekend menu features one derby in Australia and two in Mexico, while the championship races in Brazil and the USA are heating up nicely, with a number of sides still in contention for the ultimate prize. FIFA.com previews the upcoming action outside Europe.

Brasileirao: Sao Paulo on the up
A recall to international duty could give Adriano the incentive he needs to continue his fine scoring form when mid-table Flamengo take on Avai. Third-placed Goias missed out on the chance to go top when they fell to a surprise midweek defeat by relegation-threatened Nautico, but have the chance to make amends at home to Santos.

Big game: Leaders Palmeiras suffered their first defeat under Muricy Ramalho on Wednesday when they lost 1-0 to Coritiba, a result that extended their winless run to four games. O Verdão's recent travails have allowed the chasing pack to close the gap, among them Saturday's opponents Internacional, who are in need of a boost themselves after slumping to a 2-1 reverse to sixth-placed Corinthians, their first home defeat of the campaign.
Player to watch: Sao Paulo idol Rogerio Ceni returned to duty against Fluminense in midweek after a four-month layoff with a broken ankle. O Tricolor Paulista delighted the Morumbi faithful with a 1-0 win, their seventh consecutive victory. Rogerio Ceni and Co will equal Goais's season best of eight straight wins if they prevail at Atletico Paranaense on Sunday.

American Major League Soccer: All to play for
San Jose Earthquakes and New York Red Bulls are the only two sides out of the running for one of the eight play-off berths, with the men from the Big Apple having gone 14 games without a win, the worst run in MLS history. But with one third of the regular season still remaining, it is anyone's guess who will take the eight coveted slots. Eastern Conference frontrunners Columbus Crew are off duty this weekend, while Western Conference leaders Houston Dynamo face a home date with Seattle Sounders, who went down to New England Revolution in the week.

Big game: Well placed a month ago to reach the play-offs, DC United have since gone four games without a win and need to collect maximum points against rapidly improving Los Angeles Galaxy, who have won six of their last eight matches.
Player to watch: Toronto FC's rise to third in the Eastern Conference is due in no small part to Dwayne De Rosario's recent hot streak. The midfielder has scored in each of his last four outings and is his side's top scorer. Can he extend his purple patch against Chivas USA?

Australian A-League: Gold Coast out to glitter
Gold Coast United have made the perfect start to the new Australian season, winning both their opening games against supposedly superior opposition and scoring eight goals in the process. The early pacesetters will have their credentials tested against an experienced Adelaide United side on Saturday, while Brisbane Roar will go in search of their first win against Wellington Phoenix, who lie fifth.

Big game: There is an exciting derby in store when second-placed Sydney FC take on neighbours Central Coast Mariners, one slot below them in third. Both sides are unbeaten, with Sydney boasting a one hundred per cent record so far.
Player to watch: Two of the season's star signings do battle this weekend. Lining up for defending champions Melbourne Victory against North Queensland Fury will be Honduran midfielder Carlos Hernandez, who will be aiming to inspire them to their first win over the bottom club, who boast former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler in their ranks.

Mexican Apertura: Derby day
A card that features not one but two derbies kicks off with Pumas's visit to Estudiantes. The university side are yet to pick up a point after four games, a dismal run they will be desperate to end. Elsewhere, Monarcas Morelia travel to Atlas intent on maintaining their status as the leading point-scorers this season, a status they owe to striker Miguel Sebah's rich vein of form.

Big game: Vying for centre stage with the northern derby between Tigres and Monterrey is the clásico joven (New Derby), pitting Cruz Azul against America. Los Celestes will be determined to end a run of 14 matches without a win over Las Aguilas, the winners of this fixture on nine separate occasions.
Player to watch: Paraguayan goalscorer Salvador Cabanas obviously enjoys facing Cruz Azul, having scored 11 goals against them in his career, six for America and five for Jaguares. Can he increase that impressive tally on Saturday?

Elsewhere
The 2009 Apertura finally gets under way in Argentina this weekend with an intriguing duel between Independiente and Newell's Old Boys. Clausura champions Velez Sarsfield visit Colon on Sunday and River Plate start at Banfield, with Boca Juniors, now under the command of Alfio Basile, playing host to Argentinos Juniors. Replacing the relegated San Martin and Gimnasia de Jujuy are the returning Chacarita Juniors and new boys Atletico Tucuman, though there will be a distinct lack of new faces in the league, with few sides having ventured into the transfer market.

Tlemcen lead the way in Algeria with six points from a possible six and will fancy their chances of three more at home to Annaba. Waiting to pounce should they slip up are second-placed Hussein Dey, who take on JS Kabylie in eighth.

The leaders in the Chinese Super League remain tightly bunched, with only six points separating top from ninth. Beijing Guo'an are out front at the moment, just one point clear of Shandong Luneng. Their respective opponents this weekend are Jiangsu Sainty and Shanghai Shenhua, while Henan Jianye, three points back in third, travel to Hangzhou Lucheng.