MANCHESTER UNITED vs MANCHESTER CITY
THE FA Community Shield can often be a lacklustre, tepid affair, but that seems unlikely with the Manchester Derby kicking things off for the season. The local rivals met here in the semi-final of the FA Cup in April and it was City who came out on top that day.
Sir Alex Ferguson would never admit it, but City should turn out to be the champions’ biggest threat of securing back-to-back titles and both clubs will be desperate not to lose this one. Roberto Mancini tends to adopt a defensive policy against the best sides and he could set his stall out to try to frustrate his opponents.
Last season’s 3-1 win for United against Chelsea in this fixture was the first Community Shield that hadn’t gone to penalties in the past four years. There is no extra-time and with the draw available at 3.35 on Betdaq, that has to be the best option.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see both sides get on the scoresheet as there are bound to be a couple of rusty players at the back and the 1-1 scoreline is worth backing at 6/1 with William Hill. It’s anyone’s guess who would win on penalties, although I’d probably just favour United at around 11/2 thanks to their extra experience of shootouts.
The spread betting call has to be a sell of goals at 2.35 with Sporting Index. There have been two or more goals in seven of the last eight Community Shields, but a tight contest is definitely on the cards.
POINTERS…
Draw at 3.35 on Betdaq
1-1 correct scoreline at 6/1 with William Hill
Sell total goals at 2.35 with Sporting Index