Community Shield Betting for 2008

The FA Community Shield is the traditional first match of the new domestic season and this year's contest, between Manchester United and Portsmouth FC, takes place on Sunday, 10th August at Wembley Stadium. Until 2002, the event was called the Charity Shield and is a match fought between the top league champions and the holders of the FA Cup. This year sees the one hundredth anniversary of the Cup and, although the event is hardly a prestigious one, it offers excellent opportunities for online betting fans to get their eye in before the start of the football season.

Manchester United played in the first Charity Shield in 1908 and have won the competition a record twelve times and drawn four. They also hold the record for the most consecutive matches, playing in all six between 1996 and 2001. Ryan Giggs is the most successful player having been involved in six wins while the highest scoring game in the history of the tournament was 8-4 between Manchester United and Swindon Town. In 1967 the Spurs goalie, Pat Jennings, scored against, guess who? That's right - Manchester United.

This will be the first match for thirteen years where a club outside the top four is represented. Needless to say, the mighty Manchester United are the favourites on Football Betting sites but let's not forget that Pompey won 1-0 at Old Trafford in the FA cup quarter finals. Plus, the Southern team still get excited by trips to Wembley and this gives them an edge while the jaded Reds yawn at the inconvenience of having to play a match with little to offer in the way of kudos. On top of all this, Portsmouth have won three of Manchester United's last five away games with one draw and one loss.

It's also worth bearing in mind that Ronaldo will be sulking because he wasn't allowed to break his recently signed £120k a week contract and swan off to the Bernabou. Plus Sir Alex will want to try out a couple of new signings while, doubtless, Harry Redknapp will be fielding Peter Crouch who will be desperate to make his mark.

So, we might not be looking at the most stimulating match of the forthcoming season but a few factors make the game an interesting and relatively unpredictable one. You can get 5-1 on Portsmouth on many online betting sites and a small wager might not be misplaced. Many online betting sites offer free bets to new customers and it's a good idea to sign-up with the right one for you before the season gets under way. Nothing could be easier with just a few clicks on the computer and you're away. On many Internet sites you'll find stacks of advice, gossip, statistics and inside stories to keep you on the case. The match is televised on Sky with highlights on the BBC and radio coverage on radio 5.

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