Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips for Manchester City vs. Arsenal at FA Community Shield
Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips for Manchester City vs. Arsenal at FA Community Shield
The Citizens won the Treble last year, and intend to do the same this season. But first, they are keen on opening the campaign with a trophy, and according to Guardiola’s words, Community Shield will be taken with the highest possible sense of urgency. On the other side, Arsenal wants not only to win some silverware, but stand up to City after losing title last year. A win here would indicate that Arteta’s team returned even stronger and eager to get its revenge.
Manchester City
The Citizens were in Asia, preparing for the new season. They played three games, winning two and losing one, and overall, left a solid impression. We need to say that Guardiola combined a lot, and often left his best players on the bench, introducing them to the pitch later.
Also, the Citizens didn’t have Kevin De Bruyne, who was recovering from his hamstring injury earned in the Champions League finals. The Belgian is expected to be in the protocol for the Community Shield, but that will be up to Guardiola to decide.
Man City met Yokohama FM and won that game, 5-3, and then they defeated Bayern Munich, 2-1 before losing to Atletico Madrid with the same result. Mateo Kovacic did solid as Iklay Gundogan’s replacement, but it is early to give more evaluations.
Arsenal
The Gunners were in the United States, where they had three tests. Mikel Arteta’s crew smashed MLS All-Stars 5-0, then they lost to Manchester United 2-0, but redeemed for that against Barcelona.
Arsenal defeated the Spanish champion, 5-3, in a game in which we saw a flawless offensive performance of the London team. Just to remind you, Barcelona had one of the best defenses in the history of La Liga and one of the better ones in Europe, yet the Gunners ripped them apart.
With Declan Rice in the midfield, Arsenal’s defense should be safer, while on the other hand, Timber’s presence on the side would make it even more deadly. It is all up to Arteta to create chemistry, with Arsenal having an outstanding depth chart right now.
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Laporte, Ake; Rodri, Kovacic; Silva, Foden, Grealish; Haaland
Arsenal: Ramsdale; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Trossard
City was confident against Arsenal in both events last year. The first was at the Emirates, where they won 3-1. After that, we’ve seen them demolish the biggest title rival at the Etihad, 4-1.
Both teams scored and conceded goals throughout the preseason, and our pick here would be to see the same thing. They know one another very well, there are no secrets, which is why we think that each side is capable of netting at least once.
Our verdict: Both teams scoring