SPORTS BET BLOG
2026 FA Community Shield - Arsenal vs. Man City Preview:
Which team will claim the first silverware of the season?
August 13, 2026 by Marc Jerbs
The 104th FA Community Shield opens the 2026-27 English football season as Premier League champions Arsenal face FA Cup winners Manchester City on Sunday, August 16, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 PM BST at the Principality Stadium (Millennium Stadium) in Cardiff, Wales.
Community Shield Records and Head-to-Head
Past Shield Encounter Results
Arsenal hold a perfect record in previous Community Shield clashes against Manchester City:
- August 6, 2023 (Wembley): Arsenal 1–1 Manchester City (Arsenal won 4–1 on penalties)
- August 10, 2014 (Wembley): Arsenal 3–0 Manchester City
Club Trophies and Past Final Form
- Arsenal: 17 Community Shield titles (2nd all-time). Victories in their last 5 Shield appearances came in 2023 (vs. Man City), 2020 (vs. Liverpool), 2017 (vs. Chelsea), 2015 (vs. Chelsea), and 2014 (vs. Man City).
- Manchester City: 7 Community Shield titles. Recent outings resulted in a win in 2024 (vs. Man United), along with losses/runner-up finishes in 2023 (vs. Arsenal), 2022 (vs. Liverpool), and 2021 (vs. Leicester City).
Arsenal vs. Manchester City Sports Bet Odds
The Gunners are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:
- The Gunners are favored by a goal, with a full-time result of 2.45.
- The Sky Blues are the underdogs by a goal, with a full-time result of 2.55.
- Draw has a full-time result of 3.60.
- Total is set at 2.5 goals, with the Under at 2.00 and the Over at 1.90.
All-Time Head-to-Head (All Competitions)
Across 216 total competitive meetings:
- Arsenal Wins: 99
- Manchester City Wins: 65
- Draws: 52
Critical Tactical Factors
- Defensive Resistance vs. Haaland: Mikel Arteta's center-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães will focus on neutralizing Erling Haaland in central areas during set pieces and transition play.
- Engine Room Battle: Control of tempo in midfield will depend heavily on how Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard press and break through Manchester City's midfield pairing of Rodri and Bernardo Silva.
- Neutral Venue Atmosphere: Playing at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for the first time in two decades introduces a unique neutral dynamic to start the new competitive season.
Final Thought
While the Community Shield serves as an early piece of silverware, its true value lies in setting the psychological tone for the upcoming season. With both squads possessing established tactical systems and deep rosters, whichever side quickly finds its competitive rhythm on neutral Welsh turf will secure an early advantage heading into the new Premier League campaign.
Scottish Premiership - St. Mirren vs. St. Johnstone Preview:
Can the Buddies defend home turf against St. Johnstone?
August 6, 2026 by Marc Jerbs
St. Mirren prepares to host St. Johnstone at the Marbill Coaches Stadium for Matchday 2 of the 2026/27 Scottish Premiership campaign on Saturday, August 8, 2026, with kick-off set for 3:00 PM BST... read more »
2026/27 Scottish Premiership - Aberdeen vs. Hearts Preview:
Can the Dons derail the Jambos on opening day?
July 30, 2026 by Marc Jerbs
The 2026/27 Scottish Premiership season kicks off with an intriguing battle at Pittodrie Stadium, where Aberdeen go head-to-head against the Hearts this coming weekend... read more »
AUGUST SPORTS / HORSE RACING CALENDAR
| DATE | TIME | EVENT | VENUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 SUN | 2:00 PM | 2026 Currie Cup: Pretoria Bulls vs. Cheetahs | Loftus Versfeld |
| TBA | 2026 DP World Tour: Danish Golf Championship - Final Round | Great Northern | |
| 20 THU | TBA | 2026 DP World Tour: Nexo Championship - First Round | Trump International Golf Links |
| 21 FRI | 2:00 PM | 2026 Currie Cup: Pumas vs. Griquas | MBombela Stadium |
| 4:05 PM | 2026 Currie Cup: Pretoria Bulls vs. Stormers XXIII | Loftus Versfeld | |
| 6:15 PM | 2026 Currie Cup: Durban Sharks vs. Johannesburg Lions | Woodburn Stadium | |
| 8:00 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 1: Arsenal vs. Coventry City | Emirates Stadium | |
| TBA | 2026 DP World Tour: Nexo Championship - Second Round | Trump International Golf Links | |
| 22 SAT | 12:30 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 1: Hull City vs. Manchester United | MKM Stadium |
| 3:00 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 1: Everton vs. Crystal Palace | Hill Dickinson Stadium | |
| 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 1: Ipswich Town vs. Sunderland | Portman Road | ||
| 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 1: Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds United | The City Ground | ||
| 5:30 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 1: Brentford vs. Tottenham Hotspur | Gtech Community Stadium | |
| TBA | 2026 DP World Tour: Nexo Championship - Third Round | Trump International Golf Links | |
| 23 SUN | 2:00 PM | 2026 Currie Cup: Cheetahs vs. Boland Cavaliers | Toyota Stadium |
| 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 1: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Aston Villa | American Express Stadium | ||
| 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 1: Manchester City vs. Bournemouth | Etihad Stadium | ||
| 4:30 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 1: Newcastle United vs. Liverpool | St. James' Park | |
| TBA | 2026 DP World Tour: Nexo Championship - Final Round | Trump International Golf Links | |
| 24 MON | 8:00 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 1: Fulham vs. Chelsea | Craven Cottage |
| 27 THU | TBA | 2026 DP World Tour: Husqvarna British Masters - First Round | The Belfry Hotel & Resort |
| 28 FRI | 4:05 PM | 2026 Currie Cup: Johannesburg Lions vs. Stormers XXIII | Ellis Park |
| 6:15 PM | 2026 Currie Cup: Durban Sharks vs. Pretoria Bulls | Kings Park | |
| 8:00 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 2: Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City | Selhurst Park | |
| TBA | 2026 DP World Tour: Husqvarna British Masters - Second Round | The Belfry Hotel & Resort | |
| 29 SAT | 10:40 AM | 2026 Currie Cup: Pumas vs. Cheetahs | MBombela Stadium |
| 12:30 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 2: Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest | Anfield | |
| 3:00 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 2: Bournemouth vs. Everton | Vitality Stadium | |
| 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 2: Coventry City vs. Hull City | Coventry Building Society Arena | ||
| TBA | 2026 DP World Tour: Husqvarna British Masters - Third Round | The Belfry Hotel & Resort | |
| 5:30 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 2: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | |
| 30 SUN | 2:00 PM | 2026 Currie Cup: Boland Cavaliers vs. Griquas | Boland Stadium |
| 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 2: Chelsea vs. Brighton & Hove Albion | Stamford Bridge | ||
| 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 2: Leeds United vs. Brentford | Elland Road | ||
| 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 2: Sunderland vs. Fulham | Stadium of Light | ||
| 4:30 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 2: Manchester United vs. Ipswich Town | Old Trafford | |
| TBA | 2026 DP World Tour: Husqvarna British Masters - Final Round | The Belfry Hotel & Resort | |
| 31 MON | 8:00 PM | 2026/27 Premier League Matchweek 2: Aston Villa vs. Arsenal | Villa Park |
*Time shown is British Summer Time (BST).
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards (2,937 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.
Established in 1776, the St. Leger is the oldest of Britain's five Classics. It is the last of the five to be run each year, and it is raced over a longer distance than any of the previous four.
The St. Leger is the final leg of the English Triple Crown, preceded by the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby. It also completes the Fillies' Triple Crown, which begins with the 1,000 Guineas and continues with the Oaks. In recent decades, however, the St. Leger has rarely featured a Triple Crown contender.
The event was devised by Anthony St. Leger, an army officer and politician who lived near to Doncaster. The race did not initially bear his name - it was first referred to as "A Sweepstake of 25 Guineas". It was restricted to horses aged three, and its original distance was two miles. The rules stipulated that colts were to carry 8 st, and fillies 7 st 12 lb... more St. Leger Stakes info »