TUESDAY 

EFL CUP ROUND 2 

Liverpool face another testing trial against Championship challengers 

Jurgen Klopp has had a few months to get used to the wondrous ways of the English media, but even the German sounded surprised and more than a little exasperated over the questioning over the ups and downs of his team's first two games in the EPL this season, after a win against Arsenal was followed by defeat to Burnley. 

One day, the press were telling him to buy a defender, the next it was a striker. "I really wait for the day when finally the transfer window is closed," sighed Klopp speaking ahead of Liverpool's next clash, a third on the road for the Anfield outfit. 

Burton Albion are the opponents in the EFL Cup - formally the Capital One Cup - and are no shrinking violets, looking for a giant to slay to mix a few metaphors. Although it is the first time the two teams have ever met each other, the newly-promoted Championship side will be more than a match for visiting Liverpool, under the stewardship of the experienced Nigel Clough, son of legendary English manager, Brian Clough. 

SATURDAY 

On-fire Olympians get back on track

If you are suffering from those post-Olympic blues, needing a fix of mesmerizing track-and-field action, then beIN SPORTS has just the chicken soup for the athletic soul - the Diamond League. This is where the stars of the sport can be found the rest of their time, when not on Olympic or World Championship duty.  

Some of the biggest names from Rio will be in action in Lausanne, Switzerland for the latest Diamond League event, including Elaine Thompson, the double gold-medalist from Jamaica in the women's 100m and 200m. In the men's side of the world, the three athletes from the medal podium in the 110m hurdles will be having an early rematch, lead by one of the megastars of the future, Omar McLeod. 

SATURDAY 

Lazio 0 - Juventus 1

Lazio for early season upset against Serie A champions 

Whilst most of Europe's big cheeses had fairly comfortable starts to the season, week two is when the real hunger games begin. Juventus relied on the most timely of interventions from Gonzalo Higuain in the Serie A opener against Fiorentina and are facing another tricky encounter in Italy's capital city.

Despondent supporters will acknowledge the fact that Lazio have not been in the 'swashbuckling' category of soccer for some time now but that might be changing. Under the club's (still) caretaker coach, Simone Inzaghi, the Serie A side has won three of the team's past four league games, scoring 11 in the process. Four of those were against Atalanta in the opening weekend. The problem there though was that three were conceded, meaning that some Romans spent a lot of team leaning forward in their sofas in stress. 

Saturday's clash between two early front-runners might end up being a very "unItalian" affair between two teams going for goal. 

SUNDAY 

LA LIGA: ATHLETIC BILBAO V BARCELONA - Live on beIN SPORTS from 2:10PM ET  / 11:10AM PT 

Barcelona face massive test of steel in San Mames 

Well, Barcelona certainly seemed to have it all their own way in the Camp Nou against Betis after a 6-2 hammering. However, the ease-of-victory o'meter might be turned down a little for the team's second La Liga encounter up in San Mames against the legendary figures of Athletic Bilbao.

Neymar will not be returning to the Camp Nou until after the upcoming round of international matches - and some serious gold medal partying - meaning that Arda Turan will be playing as an improvised forward once again. Matters are imperfect at the back as well, with Claudio Bravo departing the Camp Nou and Ter Stegen set to be sidelined for Sunday's clash. The reserve, reserve keeper, Jordi Masip, may well be between the sticks. 

Athletic Bilbao will be in no mood to roll-over in the style of Betis having lost their campaign opener against Sporting and have the class to test the league champions with strength and steel across the team from Ariz Aduriz up front to Aymeric Laporte at the back. Barca could well be battered from the first minute to last.