The 2016-17 English soccer season kicks off in earnest with the Community Shield match, an annual exhibition between the winner of the FA Cup and the winner of the English Premier League from the previous season. For the very first time, Leicester City will be playing for the Community Shield as the winner of the EPL, though it is a sizeable underdog against Manchester United.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Leicester City +300
Manchester United -130
Draw +260
Over/Under 2.5 (under -120)
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Community Shield is typically a match which is a little more wide open, knowing that the teams are going to be doing some experimenting all over the pitch as they get ready for the matches which count in the Premier League the next week. However, the total here in this match is set at a relatively standard 2.5 with -120 vig on the under.
The Red Devils are amongst the favorites to win the EPL title this year, and they're deserving favorites in this match as well. Claudio Ranieri knows that he has a tall task in front of him keeping the Foxes competitive this season after winning the title last year, and the odds reflect that in this match. Man U is set at -130 on the moneyline.
KEY INJURIES
Matthew James skipped the trip to the United States for Leicester City, and it's unknown whether he will or will not take part in the Community Shield match. Jamie Vardy is also up in the air after having offseason wrist surgery over the summer.
Manchester United has a relatively healthy squad heading back to England after the International Champions Cup.
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There are already some telling problems for Leicester City this year. Riyad Mahrez could be transferred out to Arsenal any day now, and the team was beaten by PSG 4-0 in the International Champions Cup last weekend. Furthermore, a match against Celtic, a team which has had a miserable start to its preseason, resulted in a 1-1 draw as well.
Manchester United meanwhile, has looked much better in its prep matches, taking a 2-0 decision on the road against Wigan along with a 5-2 win over Galatarsaray. A 4-1 loss in the International Champions Cup against Borussia Dortmund isn't the end of the world.
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Manchester United has won the Community Shield a record 20 times, but it hasn't been in the match since 2013. However, there's a lot of pressure here on new boss Jose Mourinho. He doesn't have to win this match, but he surely remembers what happened last year when his Chelsea side was upset by Arsenal in the Community Shield in this very stadium. Just a few months later, he was out of a job, and the Blues were one of the most underachieving teams in the history of English soccer.
The story of Leicester City is a fantastic one, though that story is now going to have to be rewritten. With Vardy on the men and Mahrez sure to be caught up in the transfer cycle if he isn't transferred before this match, a lot of the allure which came with Leicester City from last year is going to be challenged. Can the Foxes ultimately live to tell about this year with a respectable finish and become Premier League contenders year in and year out? We doubt it. The Community Shield could be the first sign of a cracking foundation.
Community Shield Odds: Manchester United 3, Leicester City 0
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between Leicester City and Manchester United will kick off on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at 7:00 a.m. ET. This fixture from Wembley Stadium can be seen live on FOX Sports 1.
