Maximum excitement on the football
TV VIEWERS should be in for a treat on Sunday – it has been seven years since the last goalless draw in the Community Shield.
That came when Manchester United and Portsmouth met in the 2008 curtain-raiser.
The previous nil-nil before that? When Tottenham and Arsenal clashed in 1991 and were the last teams to share the title.
In the 23 games since there have been a total of 71 strikes, which will give confidence to total goals buyers, at 2.8 with Sporting Index.
In each of the last six seasons, the first goal has been scored in the first half, coming in the 10th, 41st, 38th, 40th, 6th and 22nd minutes – an average of 26.2.
With Sporting Index quoting a spread of 35-38, with no score at the final whistle settling at 90, for the time of the first goal, another early strike will see sellers profit.
While the Community Shield has consistently generated goals, the last two occasions have not delivered many red or yellow cards.
After a solitary caution in 2014, and three yellows in 2013, Sporting Index quote 42-46 in their bookings market.
This prediction is made on the total points arising from entries into the referee’s notebook and is settled with 10 per yellow and 25 per red, with a maximum of 35 per player.
Another afternoon of good behaviour would see sellers of that spread profit.
But, before making their decision on how this one will go, spread bettors might want to know that Chelsea’s last appearance in the Community Shield, in 2012, saw Branislav Ivanovic sent off and five of his teammates get booked.
Manchester City had hree yellows of their own in that game, helping the market make up a monster 105 points.
Losses can exceed your initial deposit. Prices subject to fluctuation.