In today's ­first round match-up of The Motley Fool Better-Buy Tournament, CONSOL Energy squares off against American Capital Agency in a battle to determine which stock is the better buy now. The 64-company tournament pits two Motley Fool analysts against each as they make the case for their stocks with the winner determined by you, the readers.

Motley Fool energy analyst Taylor Muckerman thinks CONSOL Energy, (CNX 0.58%) should move to the next round because of its accelerating shift into natural gas. While it might be the oldest coal producer in the nation, natural gas is CONSOL's future. To avoid being blindsided, though, CONSOL wisely chose to hold onto its lower cost thermal coal mines and its solely owned export terminal as a nice hedge while the market shakes itself out. Other coal companies are likely jealous of this flexibility, so don't be jealous if CONSOL moves on.

Motley Fool Financials analyst David Hanson believes American Capital Agency (AGNC -0.11%) should move on to the next round because of the stock's ultra-cheap price today. American Capital Agency trades at a discount to book value and has historically traded at a premium to book value. The stock's cheap price is not a good indicator of the underlying business – which continues to produce positive returns. In addition, David points to the Federal Reserve's intentions to exit the Agency MBS market as a reason to be optimistic about American Capital Agency going forward. 

Watch these analysts square off in the video below and then vote for a winner. Then check out the other companies in the Motley Fool Better-Buy Bracket. 

This year's winning stock?
There's a huge difference between a good stock and a stock that can make you rich. The Motley Fool's chief investment officer has selected his No. 1 stock for 2014, and it's one of those stocks that could make you rich. You can find out which stock it is in the special free report "The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2014." Just click here to access the report and find out the name of this under-the-radar company.

Cast your vote in the poll below the video!