Community Shield - as it happened: Manchester City outclass Chelsea to get season up and running

Re-live all the action from Wembley Stadium

Chelsea v Man City: Community Shield match preview

Premier League champions Manchester City take on FA Cup winners Chelsea in the annual Community Shield top raise the curtain on the new football campaign, just three weeks after the World Cup brought last season to a conclusion.

With the Premier League set to get underway next weekend, City and Chelsea will play out the traditional fixture at Wembley for the first trophy of the season, although its importance this year has been even more diminished by the absence of many World Cup stars as they enjoy a much-deserved holiday.

City are set to be without a number of players, including star midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, but could hand a full debut to £60m summer signing Riyad Mahrez, while Chelsea are set to feature Jorginho for the first time. Eden Hazard remains an absentee though as he remains on holiday along with the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Michy Batshuayi, N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud, while Willian remains AWOL following what he claimed were “passport problems” that delayed his return from Brazil.

Follow the live action below...

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What time does it start?

Manchester City vs Chelsea kicks off at 15:00 BST on Sunday 5 August.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 from 14:00 BST.

Team news

Manchester City without Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling (all holiday), Joe Hart (unpicked), Danilo (injured).

Chelsea without Thibaut Courtois, Gary Cahill, N’Golo Kante, Michy Batshuayi, Olivier Giroud (all holiday), Willian (absent), Cesc Fabregas (injured).

Odds

Manchester City to win: 21/20

Chelsea to win: 13/5

Draw (after 90 minutes): 13/5

(Odds provided by Betfair)

Prediction

Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea: Both sides are expected to field weaker sides, but having not been overly active in the transfer market the players should already have a strong bond together. City’s defence is about as full-strength as it can be that should see them prevail, and with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus fit, they should have no problem finding the back of the net.

[5 August 2018 10:46 · Jack de Menezes]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Community Shield, where Manchester City and Chelsea face-off at Wembley Stadium in what is the annual curtain-raiser to the new Premier League season.

We'll be bringing you all the latest news and build-up ahead of kick-off from 13:30.

[5 August 2018 13:30 · Molly Hudson]

Chelsea vs Manchester City at Wembley - whether it's considered a trophy or not, both sides will be hoping to lift the Community Shield this afternoon to kick start their Premier League season. 

Wembley looking resplendent in the summer sun, and plenty of polish has been applied to the Shield...kick off coming at 3pm, we'll bring you all the build-up and team news as we have it.

[5 August 2018 13:36 · Molly Hudson]

As much as we would hate to put you off our coverage of the Community Shield, here's Miguel Delaney on the decreasing importance of today's curtain-raiser - but it still promises to be an exciting encounter

[5 August 2018 13:44 · Molly Hudson]

Always nice to see David Moyes with his hands on a trophy...will FA Cup winners Chelsea be the victors today and make it five in a row?

[5 August 2018 13:51 · Molly Hudson]

The break has been a lengthy 21 days this time...

[5 August 2018 13:54 · Molly Hudson]

Here's Pep Guardiola as he plays down last seasons achievements at Manchester City and says his side must start from scratch this season:

[5 August 2018 14:03 · Molly Hudson]

Manchester City will be the favourites for this one, as they eased to Premier League victory last season and are developing and improving under Pep Guardiola. His project is into it's next stage as they look to maintain their advantage on the chasing pack, whilst Chelsea are one of those looking to bridge the gap.

New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri will be attempting similiar success with his side, and stamp his style on them from his successful spell at Napoli. Even if it's in defeat here, Sarri will look to witness signs of promise from his players.

[5 August 2018 14:05 · Molly Hudson]

TEAM NEWS:

[5 August 2018 14:16 · Molly Hudson]

Let's take a closer look at that team news then...

For Manchester City, England's World Cup stars Kyle Walker and John Stones are back and ready to start for Guardiola's side, with youngster Phil Foden joining them in the starting XI. New signing Riyad Mahrez has also been given the nod to start, after an injury scare during the International Champions Cup.

[5 August 2018 14:19 · Molly Hudson]

For Chelsea, Maurizio Sarri also puts his trust in youth with Callum Hudson-Odoi starting this one, after impressing, particularly against Arsenal in pre-season. New signing Jorginho is so straight into the starting line-up, whilst Ross Barkley is given a chance to impress at Wembley as he looks to finally make an impact for Chelsea.