Match of the Week: Arsenal v Manchester City

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The Premier League winners from Manchester City takes on the FA Cup winners from Arsenal in this years FA Community Shield.


Arsenal v Manchester City
FA Community Shield
Wembley Stadium
10-08-2014 @ 15.00 UK








How are the two teams current form?

Arsenal won against Boreham Wood and lost against New York Redbull before playing their friendly tournament Emirates Cup last weekend. Here, The Gunners won 5-1 against Benfica before losing 0-1 to Monaco. 

Manchester Citys first friendly this season ended with a loss to Dundee FC, followed up two consecutive wins against Hearts and Sporting Kansas. Last week they played the Guinness International Champions Cup facing AC Milan, Liverpool and Olympiacos. Here, City only won against AC Milan.

The last ten meetings between Arsenal and Manchester City have ended in five City wins. 

What are the probable line up?

Arsenal are definately without Theo Walcott for the Community Shield, as the winger is out with a knee injury. Furthermore, Ryo Miyaichi, Thomas Vermaelen and the new goalkeeper David Ospina are all rated doubtful. 

Manchester City are without Alvaro Negredo, struggling with a foot injury.

Szczesny

Debuchy - Koscielny - Chambers - Monreal

Arteta - Ramsey

Sanchez - Cazorla - Wilshere

Giroud
_________________________________

Dzeko - Jovetic

Nasri - Touré - Fernando - Navas

Clichy - Demichelis - Kompany - Sagna

Hart

Worth keeping an eye on:

Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez is set to make his official debut for Arsenal, and will probably start as a winger. The Chile international should be eager to prove he is worth the money.


Manchester City: Stevan Jovetic has shown great form in the pre-season matches for Manchester City, and could play a decisive part in the match. 



What to expect from this match?

It's been a while since Arsenal last played in the FA Community Shield, and the Gunners are going into it to win. Manchester City won the trophy last in 2012 and are favorite to take it once again. Especially as Arsene Wenger has decided not to bring Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski into play before the season opener against Crystal Palace. Manchester City has not been convincing in the pre-season, but they should be the best team on Sunday.

What are the odds?

Coral offers a 5/4 bet on a Manchester City victory while PaddyPower offers 12/5 on an Arsenal victory. Should the 90 minutes end in a draw, Bet365 offers a 5/2 bet. 


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Match of the Week: England v Denmark

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England takes on Denmark in the first of their friendlies towards the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. England v Denmark at Wembley is the match of the week.


England v Denmark

International Friendly
Wembley 
05-03-2014 @ 20.00 UK








How are the the two teams form?

England have lost their last two matches at Wembley - 0-1 to Germany and 0-2 to Chile - but as on Wednesday those two matches were friendlies. As Roy Hodgson is preparing for the World Cup we might see an alternative starting line-up against Denmark, why the earlier results does't matter. 

Denmark won 3-2 by a hattrick of Martin Jørgensen last time they visited Wembley, back in 2003. Since then, Denmark and England have played twice with a win to each side. 4-1 to Denmark in 2005 and 2-0 to England in 2011. 

What are the probable line-ups?

While England is preparing for the World Cup, Morten Olsen is trying out new players for the EURO 2016 qualifications, why we might see alternative line-ups from both sides.

Hart

Shaw - Cahill - Smalling - Johnson

Carrick - Gerrard

Wilshere - Rooney - Oxlade-Chamberlain

Sturridge
_______________________________________

Bendtner

Olsen - Eriksen - Krohn-Dehli

Kvist - Zimling

Ankersen - Kjær - Agger - Jacobsen

Andersen

What to expect from this match?

The last four matches between the two nations have resulted in two wins and eight goals to each side. It is, therefore, hard to predict how this match will go, but on paper England are favorites. In fact, Denmark has not less than 11 Danish Superliga players in the squad compared to the English with only one player not playing in the Premier League. That said, Denmark has surprised against England before and will give it a go on Wembley, especially because a number of players are trying to convince Morten Olsen that they should be a part of the future Danish team. The same goes for England where every player will be battling for a place in the World Cup squad. I expect to see a lot of substitutes during the match, which might affect the flow of the match, but it should still be a very good performance. 

What are the odds?

Totesport has England as favorites with a 4/6 bet while youwin only gives a 11/2 on Denmark to win at Wembley. 

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Denmark have the squad ready for England friendly

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Morten Olsen has just announced his squad for the friendly against England at Wembley.

While Roy Hodgson has announced a 30 men squad for the friendly in March, the Danish manager has settled with 22. Among the 22 players, 11 may be unknown for the English fans as they normally play in the Danish Superliga. However, no need to worry; Lord Bendtner is ready for Wembley.

Former Charlton goalkeeper Stephan Andersen and Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel has been selected for the match along with FC Midtjylland's Jonas Lössl. 

In the defends Denmark has Andreas Bjelland, Liverpool's Daniel Agger, former Everton back Lars Jacobsen as well as Midtjylland's Jesper Juelsgaard, Esbjerg's Peter Ankersen and finally Simon Kjær of Lille.  

The biggest name on the Danish midfield is Christian Eriksen and he will be accompanied by either experienced Mainz midfielder Niki Zimling and Fulham loanee William Kvist. The other midfielders for the match are Casper Sloth and Danny Olsen, both AGF, Kasper Kusk, Aalborg BK, Thomas Delaney of FC Copenhagen, Thomas Kahlenberg, Brøndby, Emil Larsen of Odense and Martin Braithwaite of Toulouse and Michael Krohn-Dehli of Celta Vigo.

In the attack former Celtic striker Morten Duncan Rasmussen will battle with Nicklas Bendtner for a place in the starting line up. 

The match is played on the 5th of March.

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Match of the Week: England - Brazil

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England is meeting Brazil on Wednesday; a match between two of the best football nations in the world.


England - Brazil
International Friendly
Wembley Stadium
06-02-2013 @ 19.30 GMT

How are the two teams form?

Last time England was in action Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent them home with a 4-2 loss against Sweden. The Brits will do whatever they can to it up for the fans with a win against Brazil; however, it might be a difficult task. The last four matches between the two nations have ended in a single draw and three victories to Brazil.

Brazil's last match was against the rivals from Argentina. The match was quite a goal show with a 5-5 after 90 minutes and a 2-1 victory to Argentina after penalties. This is the only friendly Brazil has lost in 5 matches.

What is the probable starting XI?

It is always hard to predict a starting XI in friendly matches as the manager often tries some new players. However, this match is a chance, for England to compare themselves to one of the best national teams in the world. Last week, Arsenal's Theo Walcott revealed that he hoped to play the striker role for England, and this might be the match for Hodgson to try him out.

New Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has recalled some of the old guards for this match. Both Julio Cesar and Ronaldinho are to be found in the squad for the match against England on Wednesday.

Hart

Johnson - Jagielka - Cahill - Cole

Carrick - Gerrard

Rooney - Wilshere - Lennon

Walcott
_____________________________

Hulk - Neymar - Fred

Ramires - Paulinho - Oscar

Andriano - Dante - Luiz - Alves

Alves

What to expect from this match?

As mentioned before, England has to show their fans that the Sweden match was an one time blur. However, Brazil is a good team and have within the last couple of years shipped a couple of players to the Premier League.

By any means, Brazil looks as the strongest team in this match; the better pace and better technique than England. Mean while, England might be strong enough defensive to keep the strong Brazilian attacking line, and at the same time have their chances.

I don't believe we will see a goal show in this match as both teams will be precautious not to take any risks. At the same time, we must keep in mind that this is a friendly, why we will see a lot of substitutions lowering the level of the match.


What are the odds?

Brazil as winners gives a 7/5 at William Hill while a draw gives 9/4 at Coral. If you believe England will win, you should place your bet at StanJames to 5/2.



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