Premier League champions Manchester City meet FA Cup winners Chelsea in Sunday’s Community Shield at Villa Park, and it’s the former who appeal at 2.6 with Paddy Power to emerge victorious in normal time.
City are yet to add to their squad this summer so Roberto Mancini will therefore be sticking with a squad of players still on a high from May’s remarkable last-day title triumph when a 3-2 victory over QPR saw the edge out arch rivals Manchester United on goal difference.
Their pre-season build up has gone very well, and seen them notch up five friendly wins including impressive 2-0 triumphs over Arsenal and Wolfsburg.
By stark contrast their opponents have suffered three successive defeats at the hands of MLS All Stars, AC Milan and Brighton and despite the fact that they fielded a strong line-up on each occasion.
Throw in the fact that they finished 25 points adrift of City when finishing sixth in the PL last season, and you can see why odds against for City to win in 90 minutes looks a cracking punt.
OK, this is not the type of game which always goes with the form book, but there is little doubt that City are far superior to Roberto Di Matteo’s men and they will want to send out an early message to their main rivals ahead of the Premiership kick-off on August 18
I fancy them to register a comfortable 2-0 victory, and that scoreline can be backed at 12 with bet365.
City have a whole host of players who are capable of bagging the first goal, but Sergio Aguero has to be top of the list having scored 23 goals in 31 league appearances last season, plus two from 3 starts in the FA Cup and carling Cup.
The Argentinian is a 6 chance with bet365, Betfred, Boylesports and Paddy Power to score first and that makes plenty of appeal.
Mario Balotelli, who had a good Euro 2012, is also likely to be fired up for this and is the other obvious candidate at 7.5 with Paddy Power.
For those that like to play in the anytime goalscorer market, it has to be Aguero for me at 2.4 – again with Paddy Power.
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