CHELSEA beat Arsenal 3-0 in a friendly last week so you'd think they were worth backing in today's Community Shield at Wembley.
However, that may not be the case. They tackle a side that's won seven in a row in the national stadium and the previous three FA Cup winners have lifted this prize.
Arsenal have strengthened with the marquee signing of Alexandre Lacazette but doubts remain about the future of Alexis Sanchez who Arsene Wenger is desperate to hang on to.
Chelsea are in a similar position striker wise with Alvaro Morata arriving and Diego Costa heading for the exit door. Michy Batshuayi netted a double against the Gunners in China and could start alongside Morata again after his fine finish to last season.
Arsenal have won their past two Community Shield matches including a 1-0 win against Chelsea in 2015 and while it's a season curtain-raiser the outing still has the feel of pre-season with the Premier League openers much more important and remember Arsenal kick off against Leicester on Friday.
Chelsea, who will miss Eden Hazard, have lost their last three Community Shields so are uneasy favourites at 13-10 with Ladbrokes.
Arsenal are 85-40 with McBookie while a draw in 90 minutes pays 13-5 at Ladbrokes.
It's often a high-scoring contest but I can see something like a 2-2 draw that pays . A scoring stalemate is 7-2 at McBookie and BetStars.
Morata is first-scorer favourite at 15-4 while Batshuayi is 11-2 at bet365 while Betfred go a best 13-2 on Lacazette who was prolific at Lyon. They are all possible scorers so take your pick.
As picking a winner is tough my bet will be on over 2.5 goals as it was when Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup Final. That pays a best 4-5 at Marathonbet.
Recommended Bets
- Over 2.5 goals (4-5, Marathonbet)
- Lacazette to score (21-10, Paddy Power)
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