Community Shield

[Crimey]

Chelsea vs. Manchester City at Villa Park.

Team News:

Chelsea

Marko Marin is out with injury.
Oscar is still recovering from the Olympics.
Eden Hazard could feature and make his debut.

Manchester City

Gareth Barry, Mario Balotelli, Joe Hart and Micah Richards all out with injury.
Vincent Kompany might have recovered in time.


I think City will win 2-0. Mancini will want to start with a win, and beating the team that seems to be rebuilding to catch them would send a big message, especially before they have made any signings. I expect Tevez and Aguero to start as well, a goal each for them. Chelsea will struggle, a lot of focus will be on Hazard but he won't live up to early expectations just yet.

Predictions?

[Crimey]

Joe Hart is now out of action too.

[Duty281]

2-1 Man City. They'll have too much for Chelsea. And I've just seen City are about to sign Rodwell for £15 Million, too much surely?

[Crimey]

Stefan Savic starts for City as Lescott misses out and suddenly my confidence in a City win drops dramatically...

I was right in that Aguero and Tevez start up front together. Apparently Tevez has made a real effort over the summer to get fitter and leaner.

Chelsea do start with Hazard and Torres.

Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Lampard, Mikel, Ramires; Mata, Hazard; Torres

Assume that means Di Matteo is going to continue with Ramires as one of the wingers as he did in the Champions League last year. Surprised at no Gary Cahill who is now fit.

Pantilimon; Zabaleta, Kompany, Savic, Clichy; Milner, De Jong, Yaya Toure; Nasri, Aguero, Tevez

City will miss Silva and Hart. Still think that City will win the match.

[Crimey]

Not sure on subs yet, will probably be going out in a minute though, so won't be able to post them.

If Silva isn't on the bench, I assume he's got a little extra time off for being a part of Spain's Euros win.

[Crimey]

First time since 2006 that the Community Shield is not being contested for by Manchester United...

[Crimey]

Mario Balotelli is out injured as well.

[GSC]

Chelsea 2-1

I don't think City are too bothered with it personally. Chelsea want to send a statement.

[JamesLincs]

20p on toure to score in a city 3-2 win. easy 50 quid sat on my *rse

[Duty281]

Lots of Goals? Check. Controversial refereeing decision? Check. Good to see English football is back. Don't think it was a red card and that was probably the turning point of the game.

[Josiah Maiestas]

City won as I expected, Chelsea don't usually win the Victory Shield, as its not really much interest to them. Ivanovic is consistent at giving bad fouls anyway, which is a shame cause otherwise he's excellent. Both teams will be top 3 in the league.

[lorus59]

Why does Mancini always play Toure out of position for half a game?

[Crimey]

Why does Mancini always play Toure out of position for half a game?

What is out of position?

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Why does Mancini always play Toure out of position for half a game?

What is out of position?

In goal

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