Community Shield: Leicester City v Manchester United Live Preview & Betting

Sunday 7th August. 3PM. Sky Sports 1

The Premier League’s showpiece preview show sees the league champions take on the FA Cup holders at Wembley. And it should be a cracker.

For Leicester, the Community Shield is just another milestone on their epic journey under Claudio Ranieri, and the Foxes would love to win another piece of silverware. But with Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United standing in their way, the Premier League holders know that they’re in for one hell of a battle.

Both teams would love to clinch the shield as they look to build momentum ahead of next week’s big kick-off. Bring it on!

Can Champions Shine At Wembley?

Ranieri’s heroes have hardly had time to come back down to earth following last season’s heroics, and they’ll be dreaming of another famous win at Wembley.

However, they will need to do it without one of their 2015-16 heroes following the sale of N’Golo Kante to Chelsea. The Frenchman’s departure could leave Leicester’s midfield in a vulnerable position, with the spotlight likely to increase on Danny Drinkwater.

Leicester have managed to retain the services of Jamie Vardy, though, which will give them a huge boost. If they can convince Riyad Mahrez to follow suit, it’ll be a huge boost for the Foxes . Retaining their crown looks virtually impossible but, over 90 minutes, they are more than capable of picking up another piece of silverware on their day. Meanwhile, new boy Ahmed Musa looks set to be another weapon in an already rapid attack.

Nothing Leicester do this season will match their 2015-16 triumphs, but winning the Community Shield will still be a huge achievement for the Foxes. Expect them to be well up for the challenge.

Jose Out To Prove He Is The Special One

It may have happened three years later than most expected but Mourinho is now the manager of Manchester Uniter, and the serial winner will be eager to bring the good times back to Old Trafford, starting with a weekend win at Wembley.

Mourinho hasn’t wasted any time bolstering his squad, bringing in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly entering through the Carrington arrivals door. All three summer signings could be set for action against Leicester, and it would be the perfect opportunity to announce themselves to English football.

There’s a lot of work to be done if Manchester United are to climb back towards the summit of English football, but most fans agree the Mourinho is the man to do it. With Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford providing further attacking threat, we might finally see a side reminiscent of the Fergie years.

Victory on Sunday isn’t essential, especially if the performance is good. Nonetheless, Mourinho will want to get his Manchester United tenure up and running in style. Expect the cup winners to bring their best.

Leicester City v Manchester United Betting

The bookmakers have established Manchester United as the favourites, but odds of 17/20 at Bet365 suggest that it won’t be a walk in the park. Leicester, meanwhile, are available at 3/1. Alternatively, if you think it’ll go beyond 90 minutes, the draw can be backed at 12/5.

Leicester’s fairytale season was one of the most incredible stories in football history, but they’ll be heading back to reality in 2016-17. We think it will start with defeat in Sunday’s showdown.

Mourinho will be disciplined, but his United will be far more efficient than the team that played under Louis van Gaal. We’re backing them to fire a signal of intent with at least a couple of goals here.

All eyes will be cast towards Ibrahimovic, but Old Trafford has seen several exciting arrivals this summer. Perhaps none of them are quite as promising as Mkhitaryan, and we’re backing the Armenian to score.

The attacking midfielder notched an impressive 23 goals in all competitions in hi final season at Dortmund. At 2/1, he’s well worth a punt.