Chelsea and Manchester City will raise the curtain on the top flight football season when they meet at Wembley for Sunday's Community Shield clash.
An FA Cup triumph was not enough to save Antonio Conte's job at Stamford Bridge, with Maurizio Sarri appointed his successor this summer.
Latest Odds
The former Napoli manager is priced at 5/2 (3.50) with dabblebet to make the best possible first impression by overseeing a victory in his first competitive match in charge.
However, the Citizens were far and away the best side in last season's Premier League,and are 11/10 (2.10) favourites to pick up the first silverware of the season by coming out on top here.
None of the last seven encounters between these sides have resulted in draws, but you can get odds of 5/2 (3.50) on this one remaining all square after 90 minutes.
Team News
Eden Hazard, N'Golo Kante, Olivier Giroud and Thibaut Courtois are not due to play as they enjoy an extended post-World Cup break, and Willian may also be unfit to feature after reporting back late to training.
Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones are yet to return to training, while Danilo, Eliaquim Mangala, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte are all injury doubts.
City off the pace
While almost all of Pep Guardiola’s squad has returned to training this week, the star players coming back from holiday are unlikely to be fit enough to start at Wembley.
In contrast, Sarri has been able to field strong line-ups in his last two friendly matches, with Hazard, Kante and Courtois the only regular starters missing.
Having avoided defeat against similarly strong Inter and Arsenal teams in those games, the Blues will be confident of at least avoiding defeat when they take on an understrength and off the pace City side.
Predictions
With this in mind, odds of 8/11 (1.73) look like solid value on Chelsea coming out on top courtesy of a one-goal handicap on Sunday.
Chelsea (+1) to win for a 2.5pt stake at 8/11 (1.73) with dabblebet
