Valencia vs Barcelona September 1, 2013

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Barcelona will attempt to make it three wins from three La Liga games when they travel to the Mestalla to face Valencia on Sunday evening.

It has been a mixed start to the season for Valencia, picking up three points on the opening weekend of the season against Malaga, before losing to Espanyol last time out.

“We have to stop Banega from influencing the game,” Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino said. “We’ll try to be at our best to stop him.”

Martino is talking about Argentinian midfielder Ever Banega and the need to contain him. Martino expects Valencia to give it their all in the match.

“They’ve played two very different matches,” he noted. ”They changed a number of players from the first to the second match, and shuffled positions around. As the home side, Valencia have to go for the win. I’m in no doubt about that. What we do is imagine what might happen and then see if there are alternatives.”

It has been a summer of change, meanwhile, with top scorer from last season Roberto Soldado seeking pastures new in the Premier League, but they do appear still to be searching for fresh blood in attack.

Barcelona, meanwhile, secured the Spanish Super Cup last week against Atletico Madrid courtesy of a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou. As mentioned, they have also won both of their league fixtures, thumping Levante on the opening weekend before beating Malaga by the odd goal last time out.

The corresponding match last season ended in a 1-1 draw, but Barcelona were 1-0 winners on their own patch in September.

Helder Postiga should continue in attack for the home side, but Jonathan Viera and Sergio Canales are both pushing for inclusion from the start.

Barcelona are expected to recall Andres Iniesta to their starting side, with Neymar the most likely to drop out of the XI. Pedro could also come into the team in attack, but there is a slight doubt over the fitness of Dani Alves.

Valencia is hosting the reloaded Barcelona squad. Neymar and Messi are starting to see some time on the pitch together and could get more opportunities in this early season La Liga match up.

Start Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Valencia, Spain
Stadium: Estadio de Mestalla

Valencia: Alves; Pereira, Rami, Costa, Mathieu; Feghouli, Banega, Fuego, Michel; Jonas, Postiga

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Fabregas; Pedro, Messi, Sanchez

West Bromwich vs Swansea City September 1, 2013

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In the third week of English Premier League action West Bromwich Albion will host Swansea City. Both teams are looking to correct rough starts to their seasons. Neither has won a game, and West Bromwich with it’s one draw is sitting in 18th. Swansea has lost both it’s contests this year and is in dead last. If the league ended today, both teams would be relegated. It’s still early in the season and both teams have plenty of time to rebound.

Swansea City will hope to record their first points of the new Premier League season when they travel to face West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Sunday.

The home side have also struggled in the early part of the campaign, with defeat to Southampton and a point against Everton leaving them towards the bottom of the table.

They did ensure their spot in the next round of the League Cup this week, however, following a comfortable 3-0 win over Newport County on their own patch.

Swansea were also in action in midweek, losing 2-1 to Petrolul Ploiesti in the second leg of their Europa League playoff tie, but the Welsh outfit did advance 6-3 on aggregate.

As mentioned, they are yet to record a point in the league this season, but they have had a tough start, welcoming the champions Manchester United on the opening weekend before travelling to Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

The Baggies will be without first-choice goalkeeper Ben Foster, who picked up a foot injury against Everton last weekend, meaning that Luke Daniels could make his first Premier League start for the club.

Nicolas Anelka is also available after returning to the club following a personal issue, with the Frenchman expected to line up in attack alongside Shane Long.

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup, meanwhile, could hand a first Premier League start to summer signing Wilfried Bony, who opened his league account against United on the opening weekend of the season.

Leon Britton is also pushing for inclusion, but it appears that Jonjo Shelvey, Jose Canas and Jonathan de Guzman will form their three-man midfield.

Start Time: 8:30 a.m. ET
Location: West Bromwich, England
Stadium: The Hawthorns

Liverpool vs Manchester United September 1, 2013

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Manchester United and Liverpool are both satisfied with the way they've started their seasons thus far, but they're unlikely to both be thrilled no matter the result of Sunday's rivalry clash at Anfield. David Moyes could seriously endear himself to the United faithful with a big win away to Liverpool, while Brendan Rodgers and Co. can establish themselves as legitimate top four contenders with an upset victory.

Luis Suarez remains suspended for Liverpool, but Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho have had no problem picking up the slack thus far. New signing Iago Aspas appears to be adjusting to his new team and league quickly as well, so United won't exactly have it easy despite the absence of Liverpool's best attacker.

It will be a pulsating clash on Merseyside as the two arch rivals lock horns for the first time this season with both protecting unbeaten records after two PL games. Manchester United manager David Moyes knows only too well about the passion and heritage surrounding Liverpool Football Club. For the last 11 years Moyes managed Liverpool’s city rivals Everton, just a stones throw away across Stanley Park. Now the 50-year-old Scotsman must take his new side into the fiery Anfield cauldron as the Red Devils cap off a massive week of action.

On Monday night Moyes’s men huffed and puffed but were shutout by Chelsea in the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. Now Moyes has a chance to pick up his first real marquee win as United manager.

As for the hosts, Liverpool have yet to concede and after two-straight 1-0 wins to open the campaign, plenty of people are wondering if Rodgers’ side can sneak into the top four this season. The return of Luis Suárez is coming up but Daniel Sturridge has performed admirably in the Uruguayan’s absence, scoring both game-winners in the victories over Stoke City and Aston Villa.

But going into this game Liverpool have a huge headache defensively. Only Daniel Agger is fully-fit as Martin Skrtel is returning from injury and the so far impressive Kolo Toure was stretched off during the League Cup win over Notts County in midweek. Liverpool’s other center back, Sebastián Coates, is out for the season and Rodgers has a real issue as to who will lineup in defense. Skrtel is likely to get the nod but is nowhere near 100 percent fit.

United will look to take advantage of Liverpool’s defensive woes as an in-form Wayne Rooney is set to start in his hometown. Rooney, 27, dazzled against Chelsea on Monday night as José Mourinho and Chelsea were reminded exactly why they’re pursuing the England international. But it seems as though Rooney will be staying at United as Chelsea have all but conceded defeat in the race for the strikers signature.

As mentioned Toure will be missing for Liverpool and so will midfielder Joe Allen and new signing Aly Cissokho who were all injured in Liverpool’s draining 4-2 win over Notts County. Moyes has no real injury concerns as Phil Jones recovered from a slight back injury against Chelsea. Expect plenty of passion, meaty tackles and drama as two English heavyweights collide in one of the greatest derbies in world soccer.

Moyes will once again face a dilemma about who to play in his attack. Wayne Rooney appears to have won back a place in the first XI for the time being, but Shinji Kagawa is waiting on the United bench for his chance to make a big impact.

Liverpool injuries and suspensions

Out: Aly Cissokho (ankle), Sebastian Coates (knee), Luis Suarez (suspended). In doubt: Joe Allen (hamstring), Kolo Toure (groin).

Manchester United injuries and suspensions

Out: Rafael (hamstring), Darren Fletcher (illness), Javier Hernandez (hamstring), Nani (groin). In doubt: Wayne Rooney (head), Phil Jones (back).

The players whose fitness is in doubt for Manchester United seem much more likely to play than the players in the same boat for Liverpool. Wayne Rooney is not believed to have a concussion despite taking a knock to the head, while Phil Jones' back injury is not serious. Joe Allen and Kolo Toure were both injured in cup action mid-week and are not expected to play.

Match date/time: Sunday, 1:30 p.m. local, 8:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao September 1, 2013

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Two teams off to a great start in La Liga will battle when Real Madrid hosts Athletic Bilbao in both sides' third league match of the year.

Real Madrid have wins over Real Betis and Granada as they look to improve upon their second-place finish from last season. They made a number of offseason moves to catch up with Barcelona, and now they must prove their ability on the pitch.

It looks like an uphill battle for Athletic Bilbao and a tough contest. Aside from being dominated by Real Madrid, they’ve lost by large margins in Madrid as well. Real Madrid have won this corresponding fixture 5-1, 4-1, 5-1 and 5-1 in the last four seasons.

“To get something positive from the Bernabeu, Athletic must be brave,” Athletic Bilbao midfielder Mikel Rico said. ”You can always improve, even if you win. We need to try and be better every day.”

Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao have matched their upcoming opponent with wins over Real Valladolid and Osasuna to start the year. Of course, things will get much tougher when they face one of the top clubs in Europe.

This will be the first true test for both teams in what is certain to be an entertaining season.

When: Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6 a.m. ET, 11 a.m. BST

Where: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain