By Tim Stannard

1) Ego-balancing at PSG 

Wherever you are in North America on Wednesday afternoon, get hold of a cushion – buy, steal or beg one – plump it up in an ostentatious manner and enjoy the Greatest Show on Earth – PSG absolutely flattening a rival. 

That’s what’s on offer on Wednesday as PSG (and beIN SPORTS) look to brighten up Hump Day by taking on Troyes in a Ligue Un clash. 

While Unai Emery is now expected to win the league at a canter, breaking the goal scoring records in the process, Emery will be facing another challenge watching from the PSG bench: how to keep everyone happy in a very stacked squad.

As the manager admits himself, every forward player he has is an ‘X’ in the Vin Diesel sense – from Neymar to Angel di Maria - but not all can play, thus stories of Javier Pastore moving to Atletico Madrid in the winter and di Maria himself putting on a fine impression of the incredible sulk both at training and on the bench. “(Emery) needs to learn how to manage egos. Not easy” admits Wednesday’s edition of l’Equipe.

Find out how First-World-Problems Unai gets on live on beIN SPORTS 4 at 3:00PM ET / 12:00PM PT. And catch the best of the rest of the action from Ligue Un on the XTRA from 7PM ET / 4PM PT. 

2) Copa del Rey clashes continue 

An all-too-rare delighted smile must have spread across Gareth Bale’s face on Tuesday in the Bernabeu as the Welshman saw third-tier Fuenlabrada go 1-0 up against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey clash. 

After all, fans would be cheering his arrival on the pitch rather than booing his departure as he limps (or is carried) off. After 63 days out, Bale came back and rescued Madrid with two assists in what was a flat 2-2 draw. Enough to go through, though.  

It was also a reminder that nothing should be taken for granted in the competition, which sees another batch of second legs on Wednesday. Barcelona are taking on Real Murcia holding a 3-0 lead – live on beIN SPORTS from 1:25PM ET / 10:25AM PT - but Atletico Madrid could be in danger with just a 1-1 scoreline against Elche. Sevilla, Athletic Club and Real Sociedad are also in action, and you can find out where you can see them across our channels right here.

And make sure you catch the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT for the best goals, action and analysis from Ligue Un, the Copa del Rey and the Premier League from Mr Christian Vieri.

3) America stopped in tracks by Eli Manning benching 

The USA is all with the ‘what-with-the-what-now?’ on Wednesday, and it has nothing to do with he-who-must-not-be-named tweeting things. Instead, it’s the cruel and apparently inhuman benching of Eli Manning by the New York Giants. 

Sunday’s clash with the Oakland Raiders is a historic game where the quarterback will not be a starter – through his own volition – a move that will end a run of 210 consecutive regular season games, the second longest in history. “If you are going to play the other guys, play them,” announced a magnanimous Manning, who was offered the chance to still take to the field. 

4) LeBron James in another NBA career first 

Sports Burst predicted hot tempers against the Heat for the Cavs in the NBA and so it came to pass with LeBron being ejected for the first time in his career after an apparently potty-mouthed performance against referee in a 108-97 victory. Wednesday’s top clash has the Golden State Warriors taking on the Lakers. "I'm going to go in and try to kill them guys," announced a playful Nick Young of the Warriors as he faces his former team. 

The utterly endless MLS play-offs continue – 98 weeks in – with Toronto trying to clinch a final spot with a home clash against the Columbus Crew. The Canadians will be boosted and then some by the return of the previously suspended Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore. Scores are currently goalless from the first leg. 

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. SB is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.