Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips for Manchester United vs. Manchester City at FA Community Shield
Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips for Manchester United vs. Manchester City at FA Community Shield
Two teams that closed the previous football season in England will open this one. Once again, Manchester Derby takes place at the Wembley Stadium, and once again, a trophy is at stake. For some, this isn’t too big of a deal, but winning against the fiercest rival is. That’s why Saturday’s game is of such high importance.
Manchester United
United’s preseason performances were, to put it mildly, underwhelming. Their victories over Ranger and Betis were overshadowed by losses to Rosenborg, Arsenal, and Liverpool, leaving a disappointing impression among their supporters.
We’ve said throughout the previous season, and we will repeat it again, Erik Ten Hag is not the manager for the Red Devils, who have already lost too much time with the Dutch coach.
The game against Liverpool exposed all the problems United has – poor chemistry in the back line, very soft and mild midfield, and on top of everything, no creativity upfront. And just to mention for all those saying that the lineup was mixed, Liverpool didn’t play with most of its stars.
In terms of efficiency, United’s matches included plenty of goals on both sides as well. But that’s something normal since Ten Hag took over the wheel.
Manchester City
City’s American tour was mostly about Guardiola seeing if there’s some talent worth including the rotation during the upcoming season. His team broke the cold streak against Chelsea, beating the Blues 4-2, and that was yet another highly efficient event this unit played.
Up until that point, all four of their events saw at least five goals on both ends, and in each City both scored and allowed at least twice. Of course, the Spanish manager didn’t have a vast majority of his starters because many had to rest following the 2024 EURO.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland led the unit, with the first packing goals to the latter.
Manchester United: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Amass; Casemiro, Fernandes, Mount; Diallo, Zirkzee, Sancho
Manchester City: Ortega; Lewis, Ake, Akanji, Gvardiol; O’Reilly, De Bruyne, Kovacic; Bobb, Haaland, Grealish
United and City played 193 official competitive meetings. In 61, the Citizens ended on the winning side; in 79, the Red Devils, and in 53 saw no winners. Man City won both Community Shield meetings.
The most recent match was the FA Cup finals, in which United won 2-1. Both EPL games last year saw City’s win, 0-3 at Trafford and 3-1 at home.
Given United’s preseason results, we pick City to win, even if they appear without some starters and best players. The Red Devils’ performances were below the expected level of play, indicating too many problems.
Our verdict: Manchester City