Steelers vs Bengals September 16, 2013

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Two AFC North teams convene on Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio for Monday Night Football as both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals look to turn things around after disappointing Week 1 outcomes.

Cincinnati traveled to Chicago last week and were upended by the Bears, while the Steelers fell victim to a new-look Tennessee Titans squad.

Both teams sit behind the Baltimore Ravens in the division and have a variety of questions to answer.

Can Pittsburgh overcome injuries to linebacker Larry Foote and center Maurkice Pouncey? Will a running game led by Jonathan Dwyer show up? 

For Cincinnati it's much simpler—can the team grow up? The national spotlight has not been kind to the young Bengals, and the team has only defeated Pittsburgh at Paul Brown stadium two times since 2000, the last coming in 2009—eight years after the first win in 2001. 

The South Point sports book installed Cincinnati as a 6.5-point favorite at the start of betting, with the total 40.5. Early money was on Cincy, pushing the spread to 7, but there's been some buy back on Pittsburgh at that number, and as of Monday morning, it sat at 6.5 across Las Vegas. In terms of the total, OVER money has pushed the number up to 41.

 The Steelers' Week 1 loss to Tennessee was surprising and perplexing. It's not just that the Titans were underdogs of around a touchdown; it's that the Steelers never got into gear.

Make no mistake: the Steelers sounded some familiar notes. They allowed but one play of longer than 15 yards, and they shut down the Titans' running game. If you are going to score on the Steelers, you are going to have to put a drive together; that's been one of their hallmarks, and that was the case in Week 1. The Steelers only allowed 3.6 yards per play and 16 points. The defense is just fine, thank you.

The offense? That's another story. The Steelers rushed for just 32 yards, and starting tailback Isaac Redman fumbled twice. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked five times. The Steelers scored their only points on offense with less two minutes left in the game.

Steelers vs Bengals September 16, 2013

Roethlisberger's presence alone requires the Steelers' offense to be respected. The Bengals know his capabilities well. Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery comprise a solid trio of targets for Pittsburgh.

In Marvin Lewis' 11 seasons as head coach, the Bengals have been favored in just two games against Pittsburgh.

In both matchups, the Steelers won outright. The most recent example was New Year's Eve 2006, when the Steelers beat Cincinnati in OT in Bill Cowher's final game as Pittsburgh's head coach. The win kept the Bengals out of the postseason. Overall, Lewis' Bengals clubs are just 6-15 SU and ATS against Pittsburgh. Also, Cincinnati is 2-4 SU and ATS on Monday Night Football since 2003.

Swansea vs Liverpool September 16, 2013

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Liverpool travel to the Liberty Stadium to face struggling Swansea City tonight – with the two sides having adverse fortunes so far this season.

The Merseyside outfit will go top of the Premier League if they avoid defeat, while Swansea City are currently in the last relegation place, but can move up to mid-table with victory against the Reds.

Many feel Swansea City’s firepower will see them emerge victorious against their league compatriots tonight, as Michael Laudrup has a fully-fit Migeul Michu and Wilfried Bony to play together up front.

The striking pair have yet to shine in the Premier League, but it could well change against Liverpool.

Michu and Bony have scored six goals between them already in the Europa League, while both shining during pre-season for the Swans. They’ve shown glimpses of a partnership forming in games, and Laudrup will be hoping they can prove their worth against a stubborn Liverpool team.

Swansea City: Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies; Routledge, Shelvey, Canas, Hernandez; Michu; Bony

Liverpool: Mignolet; Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Gerrard, Lucas; Henderson, Coutinho, Aspas; Sturridge

Despite the Reds boasting three clean sheets in three games, they have failed to beat Swansea on their travels since City’s promotion to the Premier League in 2011 – drawing twice at the Liberty Stadium.

Successive 1-0 victories over Stoke, Aston Villa and Manchester United - secured thanks to Daniel Sturridge's goals and Simon Mignolet's excellence - have raised expectations on Merseyside and another three-point haul will return the Anfield outfit to the top of the table.

Swansea City vs Liverpool

September 16, 2013 7:00pm

Rodgers experienced mixed fortunes against his former club last term, suffering a 3-1 defeat in the Capital One Cup, drawing 0-0 at the Liberty Stadium and then enjoying a 5-0 Anfield romp in February when the Swans had one eye on Wembley.

Michael Laudrup's men faced a tough opening to the new term, with clashes against Manchester United and Tottenham leaving them with nothing to show, before they claimed their first points of the new season with a 2-0 success at West Brom prior to the international break.

The Swans have struggled in front of their own fans in recent times, with just two points to show from their last six games at the Liberty Stadium, with their season fizzling out last term following their Capital One Cup triumph.

Monday's game will be a personal landmark for Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard as he leads the club out for the 400th time in his professional career, with the Anfield outfit also one win away from their 400th Premier League success.

Barcelona vs Sevilla September 14, 2013

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FC Barcelona and indeed La Liga returns from a brief international hiatus tomorrow, as the Blaugrana seek to extend their 100% record to four matches with a win over struggling Sevilla at the Camp Nou. A win would surely see Barça retain top spot in La Liga – provided that Atletico Madrid does not better Barcelona’s result (either points-wise, or by two clear goals). Both Villarreal and Real Madrid also stand a chance of leading La Liga; but their chances hinge on either a spectacular margin of victory, or a catastrophic collapse from their closest rivals.

While Sevilla lost a couple of star players in the summer transfer window – the most high-profile departures were that of Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas to Manchester City – it’s arguable that their most devastating loss will be that of young Frenchman Geoffrey Kondogbia. The highly-rated midfielder is tipped as a star of the future, and Sevilla will sorely miss the steel he provided their midfield, especially when his departure is coupled with the exit of tenacious midfield general Gary Medel, who famously butted heads (literally) with Cesc Fàbregas during a hotly-contested battle between the two sides last season.

Barcelona will look to overlook the controversy surrounding the club and continue its perfect start in the Spanish League when it takes on Sevilla on Saturday.
The team has been surrounded by a tremendous amount of tension. First former Barcelona Coach Johan Cruyff told reporters that he was backing Ajax in Tuesday's Champions League fixture because of a difference he has with Barcelona President Sandro Rosell.

"He has grown up here at Barcelona, with Barcelona's philosophy, and the team has always played with that philosophy. At the moment, it is true that, maybe, as people have already seen, there are a few more long balls, and not always playing it short, so people think Barca have changed, but I do not think there is a [big] difference," said Dos Santos according to ESPN. "The team is still playing the same way. It is true that the boss is asking us for what we lost a little last year, which was that intensity in pressing opponents, and to be more 'vertical' [direct]."
On the pitch, Barcelona has been perfect thus far. The team won its first three Spanish League matches and the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile Sevilla is looking for its first Spanish League win. The team lost 3-1 to Atletico Madrid in its opener before pulling off two straight draws against Levante and Malaga.
Prediction: Barcelona manages a 3-2 win.
Start Time: 2 p.m. EST

Admittedly, there was something dramatic about Fàbregas’ reaction, and the game itself was an entertaining affair; but most Culés would settle for a dull victory after yet another international break.

Interestingly, Barcelona head coach Gerardo Martino has opted to continue his rotation policy – this time Pedro misses out on a place in the 20-man squad – as he no doubt prepares for the start of this season’s UEFA Champions League. However, before Martino can turn his attentions to his Champions League debut on Wednesday against AFC Ajax, the Argentine tactician must first maintain Barça’s perfect La Liga record.

Real Madrid vs Villarreal September 14, 2013

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The long awaited game has come Gareth Bale is set to make his debut for Real Madrid when Los Blancos take on Villarreal on Saturday in the Spanish League.
After a long summer of debate, the Welshman is slated to debut for his new club after signing a 100 million euro deal a few weeks ago. Bale has already been heavily promoted and is saying the right things to create the right impression.

Two of the four remaining unbeaten teams in La Liga play will do battle on Saturday, as Villarreal hosts mighty Real Madrid. 

The home side has been quite good this year, winning its three matches and scoring eight goals in the process, only trailing Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in that regard. Mexican international Giovani Dos Santos has been excellent, with two goals and two assists in early play.

But this is Real Madrid, and Los Blancos should be bolstered by a high-profile debut in this contest. There's your tease, folks—let's break down this La Liga clash. 

"Obviously, the lads have been good to me this first few days," Bale added. "Cristiano is a great guy. He has made me feel good and I hope to do well on the pitch with him. I am looking forward to getting out onto the pitch and to play with him -- that is one of the reasons I came here."

Madrid has won its first three games, but not without some effort. The Spanish giants have opened the season with two one-goal victories and a recent 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Villarreal is also undefeated with wins over Almeria, Osasuna, and Real Valladolid.
Prediction: Bale's debut will be a huge success and Madrid will win 3-0.
Start Time: 4 p.m. EST

Real Madrid is a bit beat up, on the road and has yet to play a match after Bale officially joined and Ozil departed. The club is a bit ripe for an upset.

Still, anytime you have a player like Ronaldo, you have a chance, and the talent of Real Madrid alone should ensure they at least take a point in this contest. 

Expect an exciting, high-scoring affair. This one ends in a draw, 2-2.
When: Saturday, September 14 at 4 p.m. ET (9 p.m. BST)

Where: El Madrigal, Villarreal, Spain

Hull City vs Cardiff September 14, 2013

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Hull City head into this weekend's Premier League clash against Cardiff City following their failed attempt to strengthen their attacking threat with the signing of Shane Long.

Steve Bruce was unable to complete a move with West Bromwich Albion for the forward, while this weekend's competitors did the opposite by clinching the signature of Peter Odemwingie from The Hawthorns.

The Tigers have one win under their belts since getting promoted to the top flight from the Championship, but a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City left them in 18th place in the table before the international break.

The home side are likely to line up with Danny Graham and Sone Aluko in attack against Malky Mackay's team, who are heading into the clash on the back of a goalless draw with Everton.

In a battle of the newcomers to the English Premier League, Hull City hosts Cardiff City. Both teams are in the bottom half of the table and still trying to find their footing.

Hull City: McGregor; Figueroa, Chester, Davies, Elmohamady; Huddlestone, Koren, Livermore, Brady; Aluko, Graham

Cardiff City: Marshall; Connolly, Taylor, Caulker, Turner; Whittingham, Medel, Kim, Gunnarsson, Bellamy; Campbell

“It’s a big game for us, but I’m sure they’ll say the same. Cardiff came up with us and they’ll have put it down as one of their fixtures to get something from,” said Hull manager Steve Bruce, via ESPN FC. ”Cardiff are a good side and they proved to be the best side in the Championship last year. Since then they’ve added to their squad well, spent a lot of money to improve and they’re going to make a big fist of it.”

Start Time: 10:00 a.m. ET

Location: Hull, England

Stadium: Kingston Communications Stadium