Manchester City are back in action this weekend for their final game before the 2024/25 Premier League season kicks off.
On Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s side will be travelling to Wembley Stadium once again to take on Manchester United in the Community Shield.
The Blues took on their Manchester rivals in the final game of the 2023/24 season in the FA Cup final, which City lost 2-1.
Now that the latest meeting between the two Manchester clubs is on the horizon, one pundit has shared an early prediction for the match.
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Michael Bridges shares Community Shield prediction
Speaking in a recent video shared on the Optus Sport YouTube channel, Michael Bridges had this to say on the Community Shield and how he thinks it could pan out for both Manchester sides.
He said: “[The FA Cup final] was probably the match that kept [Erik] Ten Hag in his job because the tactics he showed in the final when they beat Manchester City 1-0 was probably the first time I’ve gone hang on, this guy does actually know or has been able to showcase what he’s all about.
“So it’s another chance for him to deliver an upset.
“There’s a lot of big players out for Manchester United for one reason or another, but why not, it’s a one-off match, anything can happen and if it’s anything to go by, they’ve got a chance.
“However after seeing Manchester City in pre-season and a firing [Erling] Haaland, I don’t give them much hope.
“Prediction I am going to go for Manchester United 1-3 Manchester City.”
City could get revenge on United this weekend
Having lost the previous FA Cup final to the Red Devils, this upcoming Community Shield clash will not only give City the chance to prepare themselves for the start of the new league season but also allow them to get revenge on their rivals.
As Bridges mentioned, Haaland scored five goals across the four friendly games he appeared in throughout City’s recent pre-season tour of America.
This makes it easy to see why Bridges thinks this could be a key factor in the upcoming clash against United.
