Man Utd vs Man City preview: Best free betting tips, odds and predictions for the Community Shield

RIVALS Manchester United and Manchester City clash in Saturday's FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium where the first silverware of the 2024-24 campaign will be decided.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

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Man Utd vs Man City preview

Premier League champions Manchester City and FA Cup winners Manchester United get the ball rolling on the 2024-25 campaign this weekend.

And you'll be forgiven for feeling a strong sense of Déjà vu.

The pair brought the curtain down on last season's domestic campaign just 77 days ago when Erik ten Hag's beleaguered side defied the odds to pull off a stunning FA Cup final victory over their arch-rivals.

Many believed the Dutchman would be axed regardless of the result, but co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has kept faith in Ten Hag for the upcoming season.

He's also been backed in the transfer market with the club having spent over £90million on two new recruits in centre-back Leny Yoro and forward Joshua Zirkzee.

But though a new season beckons, United's injury curse continues.

Yoro will be sidelined until October after sustaining a foot injury in their pre-season game against Arsenal in Los Angeles.

Harry Maguire is still recovering from the issue that ruled him out of the European Championships, striker Rasmus Hojlund is unlikely to return before the first international break, while there are doubts over the availability of defensive trio Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans.

The Red Devils enter the encounter as underdogs at 15/4, and it's no real surprise given their injury list and fairly underwhelming pre-season tour Stateside.

United lost both of their games against Premier League opposition in Arsenal and Liverpool during their excursion, picking up their lone victory against Real Betis in San Diego.

Pep Guardiola's haven't fared too much better in pre-season.

The champions, who've only signed 20-year-old Brazilian winger Savinho in the transfer window, lost three successive games to Celtic, AC Milan and Barcelona before thumping Chelsea 4-2 with a hat-trick from Erling Haaland.

However, City have been without a significant number of their first-team regulars throughout pre-season due to their exploits at the 2024 European Championships and Copa America.

But the likes of Rodri, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva should all return to strengthen their starting XI against their closest rivals on Saturday.

Man Utd vs Man City odds

• Man Utd 15/4 with William Hill -

• Draw 4/1 with William Hill -

• Man City 6/11 with William Hill -

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Man Utd vs Man City betting tips and predictions

I predict a riot

I think it could be quite a chastening afternoon at Wembley for Manchester United on Saturday. A lacklustre pre-season paired with a swathe of defensive injuries will hand the advantage to Manchester City, who have nearly all of their most talented players available - the majority of whom would like to right the wrongs of May's FA Cup final defeat.

• Manchester City to score over 2.5 goals at 6/4 with William Hill -

Ha Ha Land

Erling Haaland struck a clinical hat-trick against Chelsea in their last pre-season outing over in the United States. His trio of goals shouldn't really be a surprise given he's now scored two hat-tricks in his last six matches for club and country - and nine in total.

The Norwegian, 24, also enjoys playing in this fixture having scored six goals and provided three assists in his last six games against United.

• Erling Haaland to score 2+ goals at 19/5 with William Hill -

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