5th Aug 2011 | Football
Community Shield: Man City V Man Utd
With no extra-time in this fixture, a draw means penalties. United should be favourites in that event.
The latest battle to supposedly demonstrate ‘a shift in the balance of power in English football’ takes place on Sunday, in the Community Shield at Wembley. Manchester City return to the scene of their FA Cup semi-final triumph, eager to show that the 1-0 victory over United was no flash in the pan. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side recovered from that setback to win a record 19th league title, and it seems unlikely that the Knight of the Realm will be losing any sleep over this match.
The word from the City camp is that they need to keep up the newly found winning habit against their neighbours. The goalscorer of the winner in the semi-final, and then the final, Yaya Toure, had this to say:
“We have to show United we are here…We have to make a statement from the start. I think other clubs are starting to take notice of the new Manchester City.”
It’s impossible to escape the feeling that this is seen as a bigger game by Roberto Mancini’s side. United are seasoned participants in this curtain raiser - this will be their fifth consecutive appearance. Ferguson has generally treated the game as just another pre-season friendly, but that doesn’t mean that the results have always been poor. Far from it. The Shield has been lifted by the Red Devils in three of the last four years, twice after penalties. Indeed, the only defeat came after another shootout, against Chelsea in 2009.
Draws are commonplace in this fixture and another seems highly likely on Sunday at best odds of 12/5 with Skybet. However, with no extra-time in this game, we might as well be daring and pick a winner of a potential penalty contest. The odds of either side winning in this manner are 5/1 with William Hill, and I’ll plum for Man Utd.
Experience and a lack of nerves are a good combination in a shootout, and the league champions should have both. The likes of Giggs, Rooney and Berbatov will be unphased by this occasion, not least because I don’t think they’ll care too much if they lose. Ironically, that relaxed state of mind is ideal for spot-kicks, so if the match is drawn, they should have the edge. Back United to win on penalties for the third time in five years, at odds of 5/1 with William Hill.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 10:29 5th Aug, 2011 but subject to change
