For a long time, the Community Shield has been the domestic curtain-raiser. With Champions League winners Liverpool taking on Premier League champions Manchester City for the trophy this year, the clash is set to be highly entertaining.
Traditionally, top-flight winners are supposed to face FA cup champions. With City lifting both trophies, however, Liverpool have been chosen as opponents for this year’s clash that will take place at Wembley in August.
During the 2018/19 premier league campaign, City beat the Reds to the title by a solitary point. It was a fiercely contested title race, with Liverpool going on to record their highest ever points with 97. While many people would argue that Liverpool’s impressive performance was aided by their early exits from the League Cup and the FA Cup, their remarkable run in the Champion’s League that culminated in a victory over bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspurs on June 1 proves otherwise.
The spot would have gone to Watford after they beat Wolves in the semifinal, but with the Hornets eventually going down 6-0 against City during the final, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have been confirmed as contenders.
Pep Guardiola’s men go into this match as Community Shield champions. Liverpool last won the trophy in 2006 after beating Chelsea 2-1.
Football lovers, especially those who are fans of these teams, will highly anticipate this year’s tempting match. The game will also have a high appeal for bettors who usually place bets on online betting sites in the UK and other parts of the world.
Nigerian bettors looking to place bets on the upcoming community shield game can check out the latest bookies offers in the UK here.
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MANCHESTER CITY
City will start the 2019/20 season by playing the Community Shield. Klopp’s men will want to retain the trophy against worthy opponents Liverpool this highly anticipated clash.
With Guardiola giving starts to new signings during previous Community Shield editions, it’s highly likely that new arrival Rodri will feature in this game. Last year, Mahrez was handed an immediate start after signing from Leicester City.
In 2018, Guardiola named a strong side against Chelsea, and he’ll be expected to do the same come August 4. With up to six changes allowed in this first game of the season, the manager is expected to make plenty of them throughout the match.
Here’s The Predicted Man City Line-Up
City’s number 1 Ederson is expected to start at goal, with Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, and Zincheko starting at the back. De Bruyne, Rodri, and David Silva will start at the midfield, with Bernardo Silva, Aguero, and Sterling linking up at the front.
Mendy and Bravo look doubtful for this match, with both suffering injuries earlier on.
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool had a memorable season, and they’ll want to resume from where they left by putting a marker down against their biggest title rivals City in this game. Their pre-season has not gone well, with their latest friendly ending in a 3-0 defeat against Napoli.
It was their fourth back to back pre-season match without a victory. Klopp went on to play down the poor pre-season results, and he’ll hope to turn his team’s fortunes around when they come up against City, who had mixed fortunes in their pre-season tour.
Liverpool will be without star man Mane who is unavailable for selection after participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament ran into the middle of July, with Senegal going on to reach the final.
Sane’s absence from the squad doesn’t leave Klopp without options, however. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is fit again after a lengthy absence brought about by an injury.
Here’s The Predicted Line-Up for Liverpool
Alisson is expected to start in goal, with Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, and Robertson forming the defense. In the midfield, Fabinho, Henderson, and Wijnaldum may start, with Salah, Firmino, and Origi linking up at the front.
Shaqiri is doubtful for this match after suffering an injury earlier on.
RESULT ANALYSIS
While this game will have little bearing on how the premier league season goes, each side will be keen gain some psychological advantage over their opponents by coming out on top. You can thus expect a fierce battle between these two inevitable title rivals. Recently, games between City and Liverpool have produced plenty of goals from both sides, and you can expect the same. Nigerian betting enthusiasts can put their money on both teams scoring.
Our prediction for the final result of the game is Liverpool 1-2 Man City.
