12 Jun 2019
Premier League champions Manchester City travel to London this coming Sunday to face-off against Maurizio Sarri’s new side in the FA Community Shield.
The shield’s timing has always been put into question, however it will give the two sides the opportunity to measure up against one another before the start of the Premier League season.
There is no doubt that the Sky Blues will be looking to pick up where they left off last season and continue to show their dominance. We have them at 11/10 to win.
While Chelsea on the other hand, may feel as though they have a point to prove after a somewhat disappointing 2017/18 season and new manager Sarri will be looking to make a good early impression on the Chelsea faithful. The Blues are 5/2 to take home the cup.
That being said, Chelsea could be the more likely to field a full-strength side to try and start the season on a high, while Manchester City could possibly rest key players to ready themselves for the start of the new season.
This strategy could backfire for Chelsea though as Guardiola’s youth have more than proved themselves during pre-season, most recently beating a strong Bayern Munich side in the International Champions Cup 3-2.
If they can’t beat Manchester City with lessened strength, their ability to compete this season with the best may be put into question.
With players like Sane, Willian, Mahrez and Pedro all likely to start, it’s a match-up that should contain glowing attacking football, with goals flying in for both sides.
Below we have evaluated each of those four players and what you can expect to see from them in Sunday’s action.
Leroy Sane
After getting 14 goals and 19 assists last season, it’s safe to say that the Manchester City winger was both bitterly disappointed and confused with not being included in Germany’s World Cup squad.
Sane is expected to start on the left-wing, and with his knack for committing defenders and playing crucial final balls, there is no doubt he is one to keep your eye on in this fixture. The winger is 7/1 to score first on Sunday.
Willian
Following speculation that the Brazilian would be making a big money move to Barcelona, after much negotiation, no deal could be made and the winger will remain a blue for now.
With 13 goals and 12 assists last season he was one of Chelsea’s deadliest attackers and will be a nuisance for City’s defenders all afternoon.
Riyad Mahrez
After getting his big move to City during this transfer window, Mahrez will see this match as a big opportunity to impress and get his place in the starting line-up. After a recent injury scare, he has been given the all-clear and is likely to start on Sunday.
The tricky winger showed in his time at Leicester that he has the capability to be the star and grab the headlines with important goals and stepping up when it matters.
He managed 13 goals and 13 assists last season, so it would be no surprise to see him get his first goal of the season this weekend at 8/5.
Pedro
The Spaniard didn’t get the most game time last season, however still managed to bag 8 goals and 5 assists. With striker and fellow countryman Morata still currently firing blanks, he may be the man who needs to step up if it doesn’t go to plan. He’s 11/4 to score anytime.
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