Community Shield: Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview & Betting Tips

The 2017/18 campaign kicks-off this weekend as Premier League champions Chelsea take on FA Cup holders Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners got the better of Chelsea last time out as Arsene Wenger’s men secured a 2-1 victory over Antonio Conte’s side back in May to lift the FA Cup for the third time in four years.

Chelsea eased to a comfortable 3-0 win in a pre-season friendly in China last month but we should see a far more competitive game between the two London rivals this weekend.

Understandably, Chelsea are the heavy favourites to win the match on Sunday. The Blues finished 18 points ahead of Arsenal last season and Conte has conducted some excellent business in the transfer market this summer.

Spanish striker Alvaro Morata has arrived in a club record deal from Real Madrid while Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger have also strengthen what was already a very strong squad so Chelsea are going to be a force once again this season.

Arsene Wenger has also been active in the market after snapping-up left-back Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer while the Gunners boss smashed their transfer record to sign Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.

However, many feel Arsenal still have work to do if they’re to be considered genuine title contenders and the bookmakers have them at best odds of 5/4 to win the Community Shield with Chelsea the 4/7 favourites to lift the cup [including extra-time and penalties].

The rise in popularity of mobile betting apps for ’17 means supporters can place bets on their smartphones anytime, anywhere, so it might be worth waiting until closer to kick off to see if you can get better odds on the team you want to back.

Team news often influences the match odds so Arsenal would drift if Wenger opts to field an experimental line-up, for example. Alexis Sanchez has only just returned to pre-season training so is highly unlikely to start and you’ll get longer odds on the Gunners once his omission from the starting eleven is confirmed at around 1pm on Sunday.

Betting tips

Both teams to score 8/13:  I think we’ll see a closely fought game this weekend and with two attacks filled with talent, I fully expect both teams to get on the score-sheet. We all know Wenger is an attack-minded manager and Arsenal should create plenty of chances but they are susceptible at the back and Chelsea can be ruthless on their day.

Morata to score first 4/1: Morata will be desperate to impress following his big-money move from Madrid and the Spaniard is a top class striker. He might take a bit of time to adjust to life in England but I think he’ll make no mistake if he’s given an opportunity in front of goal on Sunday.

2-2 draw inside 90 minutes 12/1: Many feel Chelsea will dominate this match but Arsenal have shown they can rise to the occasion when called upon and have an excellent record at Wembley so I think they’ll hold their own. The Community Shield can often play-out like nothing more than a pre-season friendly but I expect a competitive game this weekend and would back a score draw inside the ninety minutes to send the game to penalties. A 1-1 draw at 6/1 is tempting but I’m going out on a limb to say 12/1 on a 2-2 draw is the best bet.

Arsenal will be without Sanchez, from the start at least, but otherwise their squad is in good shape so Wenger will be looking for another strong performance at Wembley. Chelsea will also be without their talisman as Eden Hazard is injured, however, I still think the Blues will just edge this game in injury time or maybe even penalties.