The traditional curtain raiser to the English top flight football season takes place on Sunday with the two Manchester giants clashing in the Community Shield, City as FA Cup holders and United as Champions, for a record 19th time.
Many fans will be expecting this to be hotly contested even though it technically is a friendly however United have stated they will be treating the game as a part of their pre-season like every other game and their actions so far suggest this. The team only arrived back from their successful US tour at the beginning of the week and many top players were involved in Paul Scholes testimonial versus Eric Cantona's relaunched New York Cosmos. City however have been back in the country for longer and are likely to want to set down a marker for the coming season, the big disappointment for them is that the talismanic Carlos Tevez won't be involved. Tevez has been without doubt the Premier League's outstanding performer ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Spain and if City can retain his services for this season they have a genuine chance of reaching the domestic summit. They have had the most exciting signing of the summer so far in Sergio 'Kun' Aguero and that can only possibly be outdone if the protracted Sneijder transfer goes through, with seemingly both Manchester clubs in the running now.
Last season saw three meetings between the teams with a win each and a draw, all were tight affairs and there is little to suggest that over one game that United should be near even money favourites. United are likely to have their first choice defence deployed tomorrow as they try to get David de Gea settled into English football but Wayne Rooney may not be involved after playing 60 minutes on Friday. City should be at full strength and with the outstanding Vincent Kompany in central defence along with arguably the league's best keeper and defensive midfielder in Hart and de Jong respectively we think that City can keep the United attackers at bay. City have enough going forwards even without Tevez to suggest they'll have chances and de Gea will almost certainly be nervous stepping out at Wembley. The value definitely lies with City at a best price of 11/5 and we think backing 1-0 at 17/2 (Skybet), 2-0 at a big 18/1 and 3-0 at a massive 55/1 with Coral will see you off to a great start to the season.
Selections:
Man City to win in 90 minutes at 11/5 (various)
Man City to win 1-0 at 17/2 with Skybet
Man City to win 2-0 at 18/1 with Coral
Man City to win 3-0 at 55/1 with Coral
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