Betdistrict.com
The long awaited English football season will kick off on Sunday at Wembley with the Community Shield, before the Premier League will start 1 week from now. Arsenal and Chelsea will be the teams looking to start the year with a trophy.
Arsenal finished last season on a real high, clearly being the best team in the Premier League in the last part of the season and finishing off with a convincing FA Cup win. This seems to be the best Arsenal side in the last decade and, with the addition of Peter Cech, the Gunners already seem to be title favorites among with Manchester United and Chelsea. Arsenal will look to continue its tradition in the Community Shield (won 5 of 7) and repeat last years’ performance, when they routed Manchester City 3-0. They were so focused last year and their hunger for trophies promises a similar approach this time around.
Not much to say about Chelsea really. They are the same solid, organized side, had a good preparation period with good results and have to be considered favorites to win the Premier League this season. They added Falcao and Begovic to the squad in the off season. The Community Shield won`t be high on their list of objectives, but surely Mourinho wants to remain unbeaten against Arsene Wenger (he has not lost in 13 meetings), so the managerial rivalry will add even more spice to the match.
Bet on Arsenal vs. Chelsea at Betsson and claim your 25 Euro welcome bonus now!
Team news & lineups:
Arsenal will miss Alexis Sanchez, a huge blow, as well as Danny Welbeck and probably Ospina. Sczezny has been loaned out. Wenger seems to fancy Walcott more and more as a striker and he performed well, so Theo might get the not against Giroud. Chelsea does not have definite absentees but Remy, Cahill and especially Costa are doubtful, with the latter unlikely to start.
Arsenal: Cech – Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal – Coquelin, Ramsey – Oxlade-Chamberlain (Wilshere), Ozil, Cazorla – Walcott (Giroud)
Chelsea: Courtois – Ivanovic, Zouma (Cahill), Terry, Azpilicueta – Fabregas, Matic – Willian, Oscar, Hazard – Falcao (Remy)
I highly fancy Arsenal to win this one. Sanchez is a huge blow, but even so the Gunners are healthier than ever, which is a big plus. Their hunger for trophies means that they will be 100% focused and motivated for this match and we saw how last year turned out against City in similar circumstances. Chelsea will probably be pumped up by Mourinho, who surely doesn`t want to lose against Wenger, but in the end trophy-hungry Arsenal is the team that wants it more, from the fans, to the manager, to the last player on the bench.
If this was the Premier League, I would trust Mourinho not to lose, his record against Wenger is just too one sided and represents a big edge for Chelsea – but in the Community Shield Arsenal seems like the team to beat. I will take extra security with an asian handicap tip, I believe Arsenal at least won`t lose in 90 minutes. Prediction: Arsenal – Chelsea 2-1.
Pick: Arsenal (+0 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 2.16 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 9.28
Event date: 2 August
