Leicester City vs Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s trophy hunt continues
- Seb Sternik
- 6 August 2021
After rocking the transfer window, Man City turn their attention to Wembley as they take on Leicester City in the FA Community Shield.
When: Saturday, August 7, 5:15pm BST
Where: Wembley Stadium
How to watch: ITV
Best bets
Jack Grealish signed. Pre-season over. It's time for Manchester City to kick-start their annual trophy hunt.
Pep Guardiola's men captured two major honours last year but the campaign still ended on a sour note following their failure to win the Champions League final.
Bringing the elusive European trophy to the Etihad remains on Guardiola's to-do list. However, before he shifts focus onto the continent, his side must first take on Leicester City in their first final of the season.
The Foxes may not have spent nine-figure sums over the transfer window but the club have done shrewd business nonetheless.
Brendan Rodgers' side splashed £45million on Patson Daka and Boubakary Soumare - two players who arrive with youth, potential and even higher expectations.
What's more, the addition of Ryan Bertrand on a free transfer is also a clever move following the departure of Christian Fuchs.
Manchester City are the favourites in the betting at 10/11.
The both teams to score bet has landed in four of the previous five Community Shield finals. With that in mind, Manchester City to win and both teams to score is our recommendation at 12/5.
Last three matches
Two goals from Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus helped Manchester City to a 2-0 win when they last faced Leicester.
Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Ake scored the only goals of the game for the hosts.
An 80th-minute winner from Gabriel Jesus helped Man City to a all three points when City visited Leicester in early 2020.
Last ten head-to-heads
Leicester City wins: 2
Draws: 0
Manchester City wins: 8
Leicester City goals: 11
Manchester City goals: 19
Leicester know how to win at Wembley
On their way to lifting the FA Cup last season, Leicester City produced two successive victories at Wembley.
The first was a 1-0 win over Southampton in the semi-final, while the second was a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the showpiece. The Foxes proved they can play at the home of the game and win against the very best.
Leicester's last appearance in the Community Shield came in 2016. On that occasion, they lost 2-1 to Manchester United with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring the 83rd-minute winner.
Manchester City target Community Shield history
A win this Saturday would take their Shield haul to seven - on a par with Tottenham Hotspur but still a long way behind Manchester United (21).
Guardiola's men may have their focus set on bigger things. However, this is a perfect opportunity for them to set a marker down ahead of the Premier League campaign.
Two of their last three Community Shield wins have seen City go on to lift the Premier League crown. With Guardiola continuing to strengthen his side, it's hard to see who will stop them.
Goalscorer bets
One man who loves to score against City is Leicester's Jamie Vardy.
In 11 encounters, Vardy has bagged nine goals. No surprise then to see him priced at 19/10 to continue his scoring run.
Another Fox to watch is new signing Patson Daka. The Zambia international is a promising young forward and he is capable of causing problems. At 9/4, he also offers good value in the anytime goalscorer market.
From a Manchester City perspective, Gabriel Jesus currently offers the shortest price at 13/10. The Brazilian will be expected to shoulder more responsibility on the goalscoring front following the departure of legendary forward Sergio Aguero.
However, our tip is to back new signing Jack Grealish to get among the goals at 12/5. The former Aston Villa man will be keen to impress after making his £100million move.
