Live on BTSport 1: Sun 15.00: Arsenal are 7/2 (Skybet) to beat Chelsea by one goal in the Community Shield.
It’s almost ten years to the day since Chelsea last faced Arsenal in the Community Shield, a Didier Drogba double giving the Blues a 2-1 success that day, however, the Stamford Bridge outfit haven’t fared too well in the annual curtain raiser since then, a penalty shootout triumph against Manchester United in 2009 their only victory in five attempts.
Nevertheless, Jose Mourinho’s men make the short journey to Wembley on this occasion as slight favourites, BetVictor chalking the Blues up at 6/4 to edge out the Gunners in normal time and bet365 quoting Arsene Wenger’s charges at 19/10.
Inevitably, there’ll be money, at 12/5 via Stan James, for the pair to require penalties to decide a winner, betway mark 6/1 against a 1-1 scoreline and bet365 can expect interest in the generous 7/2 they quote about the two sides playing out a score draw across the 90 minutes.
In bet365’s handicaps, Arsenal receive a goal start at 4/7 and that’s worth considering for punters seeking a safe-looking option but anyone that recalls the Gunners’ 3-0 hammering of Manchester City in last term’s Community Shield clash might understandably be keen to back them without any artificial assistance.
Paddy Power’s 10/1 for them to nick it 2-1 catches the eye for example, it’s an enticing 7/2 courtesy of Skybet for the North Londoners to record a victory by a one-goal margin and William Hill rate Arsenal at 6/1 to come out on top despite going in on level terms at the interval.
In terms of goals, five of the last six renewals have produced three or more so bet365’s 19/20 for this game to generate more than 2.5 isn’t without appeal and Stan James price the Gunners at 11/10 to fire the first of those. More accurately, that opener is 7/1 (Winner.com) to be struck by Theo Walcott and it’s 7/10 at BetVictor for both teams to find the net.
Recommended Bets:
Over 2.5 goals – 19/20 (bet365)
Arsenal to beat Chelsea by one – 7/2 (Skybet)
Compare all Community Shield odds and bet at the best price.
