Archive for August, 2011
Community Shield Preview: – Man Utd vs Man City
August 6th, 2011 | 
Author: With five of the last six Community Shield winners going on to lift the Premier League crown, Manchester rivals United and City are expected to give it their all when they meet in the traditional curtain raiser to the English domestic season on Saturday afternoon at Wembley.
City are expected to pose a serious threat to United’s title defence in the forthcoming 11/12 season and will be looking for a repeat of their 1-0 FA Cup semi final win over the Red Devils at the same ground last season. Manager Roberto Mancini has continued to add to his squad, bringing in Gael Clichy and Sergio Aguero to Eastlands. However £38m striker Aguero will only start on the bench, with Mancini set to pair the temperamental Mario Balotelli in attack with Bosnian hitman Edin Dzeko. Former United striker Carlos Tevez, so critical to City’s success last season, will play no part in this fixture. In Tevez’s absence, a player who could have a big say in the result of this fixture is hugely talented playmaker David Silva, whose silky passes will pose a major threat to the United backline.
United, who have had a perfect pre-season record so far, will also be without some key players. Midfielder Michael Carrick, who is nursing an Achilles injury, will definitely miss this game and so will young Mexican Javier Chicharito Hernandez, who suffered a concussion during United’s pre-season tour of America. New signing Ashley Young will have to make do with a spot on the bench as Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to start Nani and Valencia on the wings.
Three of the last four Community Shield finals have been decided on penalties. United are regulars at this fixture, while City are making their first appearance since 1973. Winning this title could see City steal a march over their rivals for the Premier League trophy and Mancini is expected to do everything possible in order to ensure a victory for his charges over Sir Alex’s men.
Man Utd vs Man City- Odds:-
Bet365:- Man Utd at 13/10 to win, Man City at 11/5
SkyBet:- Man Utd at 13/8 to win, Man City at 2/1
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