Community Shield Betting Preview
David Moyes will be looking to pick up his first trophy as Manchester United manager on Sunday, as the Red Devils face Championship side Wigan at Wembley.
Sportingly Better picks out the best value football predictions and betting tips ahead of this year’s early season curtain-raiser.
2013 Community Shield
Manchester United (1.25) v Wigan (11.00); Draw (6.00)
Wembley plays host to the Community Shield on Sunday, with Premier League champions Manchester United overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy.
Manchester United have won four out of their last five Community Shield trophies they have entered, but a poor showing during pre-season has made backing the Red Devils on the handicap market difficult to justify.
The Red Devils have failed to significantly strengthen their squad from last season with Uruguay U20 right back Guillermo Varela the only arrival so far.
Options in the centre of midfield continue to be a major talking point, but the pre-season form of former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha offers plenty of encouragement ahead of the new season.
Want-away striker Wayne Rooney is unlikely to feature on Sunday, casting further doubts on his future at the club, whilst Jonny Evans and Nani both limped off during Manchester United’s last friendly match against AIK.
Manchester United Probable Lineup
de Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Anderson, Zaha, Kagawa, Van Persie
Opponents Wigan got off to a flying start to life in the Championship with a 4-0 win over Barnsley last weekend and the Latics will be hopeful of springing another surprise ahead of their trip to Wembley.
New boss Owen Coyle has wasted no time in introducing some new faces at the DW Stadium with Sunderland wide-man James McClean the latest arrival.
New striker Grant Holt has spoken about his side’s belief that they can cause an upset against the Premier League champions this weekend and Owen Coyle’s troops are unlikely to be phased by the occasion or the grandeur of their opponents on Sunday.
Only four of the players who played in Wigan’s FA Cup Final starting line-up featured in the Latics 4-0 win against Barnsley last weekend, but the switch in personnel and tactics does not seem to have adversely affected Coyle’s new look Championship side too much.
Wigan Probable Lineup
Carson, Perch, Barnett, Boyce, Crainey, McCarthy, Watson, Maloney, McArthur, McClean, Holt
Only eight of the last 20 Community Shield matches have been won by the Premier League champions inside 90 minutes and Manchester United’s less-than impressive pre-season form makes outsiders Wigan an early consideration on Sunday.
Recommended Bets
Wigan + 1.5 Asian Handicap @2.00
Under 3.5 goals @1.61
Author Credit: Jonathan Day
Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/illarterate/
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