On Saturday evening, FA Cup winners will face off Premier League champions, this means Leicester City will play against Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium. Manchester City finished the 2020-21 Premier League season 12 points ahead of second-place Manchester United to reclaim the title from Liverpool, while Leicester won their first FA Cup last season with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the final on May 15. Here is everything you need to know about Leicester City vs Manchester City Community Shield football prediction, team news, and lineup.
Team news
Leicester City
On Wednesday night Wesley Fofana was stretchered off the field and appears to be facing a lengthy absence. Wilfred Ndidi could be forced to play in the back four on Saturday with Jonny Evans also out and Wes Morgan no longer at the club.
Summer signing Boubakary Soumare could be seen in the midfield with Ndidi almost certainly needed in defense. Ryan Bertrand, another summer signing, should also start, but Patson Daka may be limited to the bench.
Harvey Barnes hasn’t played in a competitive game since February, but he’s been a key player in the preseason and could start here. As rumors of a move to Arsenal intensify, James Maddison could be a surprise absentee from the starting XI.
First-choice Brendan Rodgers’ goalkeeping options were bolstered by the return of Kasper Schmeichel and back-up Danny Ward in their 3-2 win over Villarreal on Wednesday.
At the start of the summer, Timothy Castagne suffered a nasty face injury and he is out of the club and James Justin is also out for the Foxes.
Manchester City
On Saturday’s game, Manchester City is setting a deal for both Jack Grealish and Harry Kane.
Since Euro 2020 these players have not played in pre-season. Kyle Walker, John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Ferran Torres, and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Not sure if they will get a chance this time too.
Phil Foden is out due to a foot injury sustained before the Euro 2020 final.
Following his exploits at Copa America, Gabriel Jesus has yet to appear in pre-season. Guardiola may have to be creative upfront or turn to one of the youngsters without Sergio Aguero.
Samuel Edozie has scored a couple of goals in pre-season and could earn a starting spot on City’s left-wing.
Community Shield prediction
On Saturday, FA Cup champions Leicester will face Premier League champions Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Even though pre-season results aren’t all that important, Leicester has yet to win against Burton, Wolves, or Queens Park Rangers.
Manchester City has been scoring goals for fun in pre-season, despite missing the majority of their first-team squad.
Leicester should have a stronger core of regulars available on Saturday. Yet it is difficult to predict how teams will perform at this point in the season.
Leicester has many of their key players available, and we expect the Foxes to win this trophy for the second time in their history with a narrow victory. Man City would undoubtedly have the advantage if both teams were fully fit, but the Citizens will be missing a number of key players this weekend
Lineup
Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Pereira, Ndidi, Soyuncu, Bertrand; Albrighton, Tielemans, Soumare, Barnes; Vardy, Iheanacho
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Mendy; Fernandinho, Gundogan, Palmer; Mahrez, B Silva, Edozie
Our Prediction: Leicester City 2-1 Manchester City
