The annual Community Shield match takes to the field at Wembley today with Manchester United marginal favourites to defeat their across town rivals Manchester City. The Community Shield is often seen as a ‘football friendly’ that is played between the previous season’s Premier League winners and the last winner of the FA Cup (or the League runner up if the winner and FA Cup holders are the same team). Funds raised from this match are distributed to all professional football clubs in England for community programs.

Manchester United are the current holders of the Shield having defeated Chelsea in last year’s event. Manchester United holds the record with 18 Shields to their credit followed by Liverpool with 15 and Arsenal with 12. Chelsea won their fourth Shield in 2009 while Manchester City have only won three, their last way back in 1972. Most teams use the match as a friendly to assess the fitness of players prior to the following week’s start to the football season.

United go into this game as 7/5 favourites, mainly on the back of their success from last season. Manchester City have been well supported with 11/5 the best odds available for their success. The draw is at 12/5 and the Shield will be shared if the match finishes in a draw during normal time. Who’s going to win? Good question!

Being a ‘charity’ event, winning is not the main aim, especially for sides like Manchester United who have won so many already. However, when both teams come from the same city, there are certain ‘bragging’ rights that come with a win, even in a match such as this. City will be desperate for those bragging rights and since it’s been a long time between wins, they may be hungrier than United. We’re tipping City to win 2-1 in a very close and entertaining game.