2018 FA Community Shield • Chelsea F.C. • Manchester

Andrew Hughes thinks Chelsea can match the reigning Premier League champions and earn a normal time draw in Sunday's Community Shield curtain raiser

Bet 1: Back Chelsea to draw with Manchester City at 3.60

Pep Guardiola and Maurizio Sarri may both have preferred a free weekend to prepare for the trials ahead to this traditional Wembley season opener. As Steve Rawlings points out in his must-read Match Preview, the Chelsea squad is in a state of flux with transfer speculation surrounding several high profile stars, while Guardiola is likely to leave out many of the World Cup heroes who only recently returned to training.

Another major unknown is how long it will take Chelsea to adapt to their manager's distinctive style of play. It may be weeks, it may be months, but it would be unreasonable to expect too much at this stage. With City likely to field a makeshift defence, this year's Community Shield will bear a closer resemblance to a pre-season friendly than usual, and a scrappy normal time draw looks a solid bet.

Bet 2: Back Penrith Panthers to beat Canberra Raiders at 1.44

There's plenty of rugby league action this weekend and you can stay up to date with all of the latest previews and tips on the dedicated Betting.Betfair page.

Penrith look a good bet to overcome the Raiders as they build towards the NRL play-offs. They pulled off a dramatic win against the Sea Eagles last time, and the resilience they showed in that game will give them confidence for the tougher challenges ahead. It also signals they could be over their recent slump.

By contrast, Canberra have little to play for and were taken apart by the Storm last weekend. The Raiders are conceding over 22 points per game this season and their leaky defence is likely to cost them once again here.

Bet 3: Back South Africa to beat Sri Lanka at 1.53

South Africa struggled in the Test series against Sri Lanka, but the limited overs format does not require the same intensity of concentration against spin bowling and the tourists have been dominant in the opening two games.

Twice they have restricted the hosts to sub-par totals, and twice they have chased their target down, recording comfortable five and six wicket victories. The strong performances of young all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo have been particularly welcome for South Africa, and with their bowlers in such dominant form, it is hard to see Sri Lanka getting back into the series on Sunday.

Total Odds for this multiple:[7.93] Remember, multiple prices are based on our Sportsbook product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.

2018 Weekend Multiple P/L

Staked: 57 pts
Returned: 77 pts
P/L: + 20 pts

2017 P/L: + 0.99 pts
2016 P/L: + 20.99 pts
2015 P/L: - 0.51 pts
2014 P/L: + 12.69 pts

juventus,
real madrid vs juventus,
community shield,
juventus vs real madrid,
firstrowsports,
community shield 2018,
espn plus,
arsenal vs chelsea,
bein sports,
chelsea vs man city,
chelsea vs arsenal,
fa community shield,
community shield channel usa,
community shield tv usa,
man city vs chelsea,
fa community shield 2018,
charity shield,
community shield 2018 tv usa,
bt sport,
manchester city vs chelsea,
chelsea vs man city channel usa,
chelsea vs man city channel,