The Community Shield is the annual match between the previous season’s Premier League champion and the winner of the FA Cup. This year, the 102nd edition of the Community Shield will take place at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday at 4:00 PM. The match will feature two of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and city rivals, with reigning league champions Manchester City facing off against FA Cup winners Manchester United.
In this highly anticipated showdown, Manchester City is favored to win the season’s first trophy with odds of 1.55, while the odds for a Manchester United victory stand at 4.90. It’s important to note that odds may fluctuate leading up to the start of the match.
The clash between these two powerhouse clubs marks the 194th Manchester derby, serving as a prelude to the upcoming Premier League season. Manchester City has emerged victorious in 61 of their encounters, while Manchester United has claimed victory in 79 matches. Last season, City won both of their Premier League meetings, while United secured a win in the FA Cup final.
Manchester United holds the record for the most Community Shield victories, with 21 titles to their name. Their last triumph came in 2016. On the other hand, Manchester City has won the shield six times, most recently in 2019.
In the lead-up to the Community Shield, Manchester City has played four friendly matches, with their most recent victory over Chelsea showcasing the talents of two Norwegian players. Erling Braut Haaland scored two goals within the first five minutes of the match, while Oscar Bobb extended the lead to 3-0 before Haaland netted another goal.
Manchester City will be looking to avenge last year’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal as they aim to kick off the season on a high note. The club secured their fourth consecutive league title in May, becoming the first team in English top-flight history to achieve this feat. Over the past decade, Manchester City has dominated the Premier League, clinching the title eight times.
On the other hand, Manchester United endured their worst Premier League season in history, finishing in eighth place. Despite this disappointment, their FA Cup triumph secured them a spot in the upcoming Europa League campaign.
As the two Manchester giants prepare to face off in the Community Shield, injuries have plagued Manchester United during their preseason preparations. Key players such as Rasmus Højlund, Leny Yoro, Marcus Rashford, and Antony will be sidelined for the season opener due to various injuries.
With both clubs eager to start the season on a positive note, the 102nd Community Shield promises to be a thrilling encounter between two fierce rivals. Football fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating this clash of titans as Manchester City and Manchester United battle it out for early-season silverware.