07.08. (Sun) 17:30 Bayern Munchen - Borussia MG

DID YOU KNOW?

Bayern Munich have not lost at home to Borussia Monchengladbach in 16 years.

Jupp Heynckes, current coach of the Bavarians, spent more that 20 years playing for the Foals, scoring 195 goals in 283 games.

Five of the last eight encounters between the two teams have ended in a draw.

Borussia Monchengladbach have recorded 42 losses and have conceded 168 strikes against Bayern Munich, more than against any other team.

Gladbach last won against Bayern Munich seven years ago with goals from Marcelo Pletsch and Joris van Hout, rocketing the minnows to a 2-0 victory.

The Foals have held Bayen Munich goalless at home on only two occasions, in 1968-69 and 2001-02. Both games ended in a draw.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)
Sattelmaier; Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm; Gustavo, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Gomez

The fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is the only concern for Jupp Heynckes' men as the Germany international is reportedly suffering from gastrointestinal problems. With Hans-Jorg Butt out either Rouven Sattelmaier or Maximilian Riedmuller are expected to step in. Star duo Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben should be fit to start the game on Sunday, while centre-half Breno is still sidelined with an injury.

Borussia Monchengladbach (4-4-2)
ter Stegen; Jantschke, Stranzl, Dante, Daems; Reus, Nordtveit, Neustadter, Arango; de Camargo; Hanke

Lucien Favre has a full-strength squad to choose from as Gladbach aim to pick up their second ever away win to Bayern Munich. New signings Joshua King, Yuki Otsu, Matthias Zimmermann and Lukas Rupp are unlikely to star the game, but some of them are expected to come on as substitutes at some point.

Prediction

Gladbach are one tough nut to crack with Lucien Favre at the helm, but Bayern Munich possess enough firepower to breach any defence. The Bavarians should be able to see off the Foals, but do not expect a 4-0 trashing.

Bayern Munich 1-0 Mönchengladbach

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07.08. (Sun) 15:30 Manchester City - Manchester Utd.

DID YOU KNOW?

Manchester United are the most successful team in the history of the FA Community Shield - previously known as the FA Charity Shield – and have won it a record 18 times.

In the past 10 years, the Red Devils have made their way to this match on six occasions, with the seventh set to take place on Sunday in the clash against arch-rivals Manchester City.

The most number of goals scored in one game in the Shield is 12, when United beat Swindon Town 8-4 back in 1911.

Ryan Giggs holds the record for the most number of appearances in the annual game between the FA Cup holders and the Premier League winners, with 13 such encounters to his name. On eight occasions, the Old Trafford club ended up with a positive result.

Manchester City last played in the Shield in 1973, losing 1-0 to Burnley at the time, with defender Colin Waldron having had the honour of scoring the only goal in the game.

The last time these two sides met in this fixture was back in 1956, when a solitary goal from Red Devils legend Dennis Viollet settled matters on the day.

From 1997 to 2004, there appeared to be a 'curse' surrounding the Community Shield, whereby no team that won the season opener went on to win the league. But that has changed in recent years, as the winners of the Shield have gone on to win the Premier League in five of the last six seasons.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Manchester City (4-3-3)
Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Milner, De Jong, Toure Yaya; Silva, Balotelli, Aguero.

Carlos Tevez will take no part in the traditional curtain-raiser, as he has been given an extended leave by the Eastlands club and is not expected to return to training until Monday.

But one man's loss could be another's gain, as record signing Sergio Aguero may take the place of his international team-mate to make his competitive debut for City.

Manchester United (4-4-2)
De Gea; Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Young, Jones, Anderson, Nani; Rooney, Berbatov.

Michael Carrick is nursing a tight Achilles, while defender Rafael sustained a minor injury in the recent pre-season friendly victory over Barcelona.

Javier Hernandez sustained a concussion during the Red Devils' tour of the USA, and will not take any part in the upcoming game against his club's local rivals at Wembley.

Prediction

Man City 1-2 Man Utd.  

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