Live on Skysports 1: Sun 14.30: With both teams enjoying strong pre-seasons, the Community Shield could be heading for a draw (11/5, Coral).
Both Manchester City and Manchester United come into this season with a decent set of friendlies behind them; Alex Ferguson’s troops finally exacted a little bit of revenge over Barcelona with a 2-1 win while Mancini’s men outclassed Inter Milan 3-0.
Its Manchester United that the bookies are siding with for the Shield, Betdaq going 2.4 (7/5) for a win in 90 minutes for the Premier league title holders while FA Cup holders Manchester City are bet365’s 11/5 outsiders. The draw is also 11/5 (with Coral).
Recent history tends to lean slightly towards the Premier League title holders winning the Community Shield and with United having won 3 of the last 4 Shields, it’s a big task for Mancini’s team but in players such as Aguero, Silva, Kompany and Balotelli, they have the quality.
A draw in 90 minutes is certainly the standout bet here, 11/5 with Coral, as the Red Devils lose the potency of Javier Hernandez to injury but retain an edge over Manchester City in recent years (apart from the FA Cup semi final). The Citizens must score as it seems a confident Manchester United will find the net; William Hill go 10/11 that both teams will find the net. With both teams getting on the scoresheet in 7 of the last 8 finals, it seems like a good way to go.
Those looking for accuracy should consider a 1-1 draw, 11/2 with , while Wayne Rooney, who tends to play well against the blue half of Manchester, is 11/2 to open the scoring (Skybet).
A draw at full time would send the match straight to penalties and so the adventurous should consider Sportingbet’s 5/1 for a Manchester City win on penalties and put faith in Joe Hart’s decent record between the sticks.
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