Arsenal v Man City: Five Community Shield betting constants

Yaya Toure scored on his last Community Shield appearance

The showpiece signalling the start of the new Premier League season is fast approaching; here are five usually reliable bets for it...

The champions' advantage
Fourteen of the 22 editions of the Community Shield since the prize was last shared in 1991 were won by the reigning Premier League champions, compared to just eight triumphs for the team appearing as either FA Cup victors or league runners-up. Each of the last three went the way of the title winners, while the last four were won by one of the Manchester clubs.
Recommended Bet: Back Man City to lift the trophy @ 1.674/6

Inhibitions are not tolerated
Nine of the last 11 Community Shield contests concluded with both participants on the scoresheet. The two exceptions came in the two mismatches, when Portsmouth and Wigan emerged as unlikely FA Cup winners and were sentenced to 90 minutes against Man United at Wembley in August. The last time a "Big Six" Community Shield showdown didn't end with both sides netting was 2002.
Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.664/6

The second-half spectacle
After two dreadfully dull offerings in 2007 (Man United v Chelsea) and 2008 (Man United v Portsmouth), the Community Shield has been a delight over the past five years, serving up a total 20 goals. Supporters were kept waiting until the second half to see 14 of those though, with the post-half-time strike rate outweighing what was offered in the first 45 on four of those occasions.
Recommended Bet: Back the second half to have the most goals @ 2.166/5

Half-time zeroes are out
Despite Community Shield second halves generally proving more goal-kissed, the first halves rarely produce stalemate. The only of the last nine to be goalless at the interval was the 2008 clash between Man United and Portsmouth which finished in the same state. The last two curtain-raisers to feature Man City (2011 and 2012) both had their deadlock broken in the 31-40 minute window.
Recommended Bet: Back the first goal to come between 31-40 minutes @ 7.06/1

The margins are super slim
The last five Community Shield games involving Man City were all won or lost by a one-goal margin, with each of their entrances this decade delivering 3-2 scorelines. Three of Arsenal's last five Shield scraps had the same one-goal gaps between winners and losers.
Recommended Bet: Back Man City to win by one goal @ 4.03/1