WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is hoping for a close match in this year's Super Bowl.

White House spokesman Jay Carney says the president will watch Sunday's matchup and expects it to be highly entertaining, even though his beloved Chicago Bears aren't playing.

Obama hasn't said who he's rooting for when the 49ers and the Ravens square off. Last year, when Obama was running for re-election, he didn't pick sides, although he honored the victorious Giants later at the White House, as the president does with championship teams.

Carney says he's not sure who else may watch the game with Obama. In previous years, elected officials and prominent entertainers have joined Obama and the first lady at the White House to watch the big game.