It seems like only yesterday that Manchester City were
lifting the FA Cup at Wembley before Manchester United won their 19th
title and now the neighbours and bitter rivals get to face off against
Manchester United to fully kick off the season, but the best value could be in
the draw.
It’s undesirable that United are favourites over City,
indeed it’s the right price on not only last season’s form but even the pre-
season action given that United have managed to beat Barcelona while City were
fairly flattered to beat a below – strength Inter. Granted I don’t believe much
of this matters, as pre – season friendles are relatively simple games, but
this isn’t the main basis of our selections.
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| Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer |
City's record signing Sergio Aguero is set to be on the
bench while Kolo Toure's six-month ban keeps him out of action until September,
and although the’yre not a one man team, City will be without last season's
captain and top scorer Carlos Tevez, who is still on leave after the Copa
America and is not expected to report back to the club until Monday.
Granted his inclusions doesn’t carry as much weight as it
should do but City were always better against United with him in the side and it’s
a negative point for me.
United too have injury issues though, with a long and hard
pre – season taking something out of many squad players - The Reds only returned
from the US earlier this week with many big names in action at testimonials
very recently – and the likes of Javier Hernandez, Rafael, and Carrick all out.
The likes of big money recruits such as David de Gea, Phil
Jones and Ashley Young should offset the balance but 3 of the last four
Community Shield matches have finished in 90-minute draws and this could be the
same again.
Before the Community Shield, Celtic can get the day off to a
flyer against Aberdeen who have failed to find the target this season and look vulnerable
to a fast starting side who have won both games to nil. Celtic have not
conceded in eight of their last nine SPL away victories and while one team only
to score is 10/11 the same price about the double result looks taking too.
Advice – Community Shield
1 pt Draw (9/4)
Advice – SPL
1 pt Celtic/Celtic (10/11 Blue Sq)
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