Manchester City vs Manchester United predictions: Red Devils could cause another Wembley upset

Kick-off time: 3pm Saturday

Manchester City may have the measure of a 38-game Premier League campaign but don't expect to see the best of Pep Guardiola's men in the season's annual one-off curtain-raiser, the Community Shield.

City, as Premier League winners in six of the past seven seasons, are regular attendees in the eve-of-season shootout against the previous term's FA Cup winners.

But while it's a fixture they are nearly always involved in these days, it's not a fixture they seem particularly bothered about.

In each of the last three years City have failed to lift the trophy, losing 1-0 to Leicester at Wembley in 2021, 3-1 to Liverpool a year later at the King Power Stadium and then last season they were back at Wembley to draw 1-1 with Arsenal. The Gunners won the penalty shootout 4-1.

To that end, and with Guardiola almost certainly resting a number of his big stars, United are arguably the more attractive 90-minute betting proposition.

Red Devils can lower City's colours again

These clubs renew hostilities at Wembley two-and-a-half months after they met in the FA Cup final.

City were odds-on back then as well but it was United who defied the odds - and the critics - to not only pull off a 2-1 win, but it was a thoroughly deserved win at that.

It was a performance and a victory which pretty much saved Erik ten Hag's job though the Dutchman knows he is still on thin ice with United's new owners and it's why he could probably do with a big display and the trophy more than Guardiola.

It doesn't mean he will get it and Ten Hag is without a few key men, notably centre forward Rasmus Hojlund and new defender Leny Yoro. Kobbie Mainoo, one of England's Euro 2024 finalists, has yet to play this summer for his club side after a prolonged break so he may not be involved.

City are in the same boat. They signed off a demanding and largely unsuccessful summer with a welcome 4-2 win over Chelsea, but none of their Euro 2024 finalists - Kyle Walker, John Stones, Rodri and Phil Foden - had even returned to training at that stage so presumably won't figure.

And we all know the impact Rodri and Foden had on the back end of City's 2023-24 campaign.

Diallo can seize chance to shine

This is still very much a glorified friendly for these clubs, a final run-out before the serious business of the Premier League starts next weekend.

Both Guardiola and Ten Hag will, therefore, field squad members and offer them the chance to shine, something Amad Diallo looks in the mood to do.

The 22-year-old has had a fabulous summer occupying the right flank of Ten Hag's front three, scoring goals in games against Rangers and Real Betis.

He is in a scrap with Antony for the role permanently, alongside the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, the new signing from Bologna who could lead the United line.

City's defence will have a weakened look to it which is something Diallo can exploit. He is a decent anytime goalscorer bet.