The Community Shield

“Moyes out !”

Plenty of soccer forum wags calling for that (tongue in cheek, we think ?) but there would be no denying some early silverware for Moyes would steady the nerves after a mediocre pre-season set of friendlies.

How much you read into friendly form which has included a 1-1 draw with AIK Stockholm and a 3-1 loss at home to Seville in Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial is of course a matter for considerable conjecture.

The stats, and odds are overwhelmingly in Man U’s favour as you can see – all Premier League matches in the Sir Alex Ferguson reign.

Jan 2013 Wigan 0 – 4 Man Utd
Sep 2012 Man Utd 4 – 0 Wigan
Apr 2012 Wigan 1 – 0 Man Utd
Dec 2011 Man Utd 5 – 0 Wigan
Feb 2011 Wigan 0 – 4 Man Utd
Nov 2010 Man Utd 2 – 0 Wigan
Dec 2009 Man Utd 5 – 0 Wigan
Aug 2009 Wigan 0 – 5 Man Utd
May 2009 Wigan 1 – 2 Man Utd
Jan 2009 Man Utd 1 – 0 Wigan

Wigan are in the Community Shield after their defeat of Manchester City in the FA Cup last season when they were much more up for the game.

It could be the same today – they are of course the underdogs but the pressure is much more on Man U and the shoulders of David Moyes.

Wigan also already have a competitive game under their belts. The Latics started life under Owen Coyle with a thumping 4-0 victory over Barnsley last weekend as they begin their challenge to get back into the Premier League after becoming the first team in history to win the FA Cup and be relegated last season.

As for a bet. Goals should free flow. The teams have produced 34 goals in their last matches so I’ll be looking at a buy on total goals at around 3.2 and in the belief that Wigan will make things harder than expected for Man U a sell on the Man U/Wigan supremacy at around 1.4

RECOMMENDATIONS:
BUY total goals at around 3.2
SELL Man U / Wigan at around 1.4