How successful are Community Shield winners in the following season?
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Is it a curse or a good-luck charm?
Manchester City take on Chelsea this Sunday in the annual curtain-raiser, the Community Shield.
The competition is something of a friendly, but it’s a part of tradition and offers a first glimpse at new players, new managers and new kits.
But does it mean anything? Does a Community Shield victory inspire further success later in the season? And does defeat become an early-season warning for failure?
The Coral News Team have the answers…
2017-18 – ARSENAL (v Chelsea)
Last season’s Community Shield final went Arsenal’s way on penalties, but neither side took much joy from it.
Neither were anywhere near title contention, while cup success eluded them both. What’s more, Arsenal parted ways with Arsene Wenger while Antonio Conte left Chelsea in July after months of speculation.
2016-17 – Man United (v Leicester)
This was Jose Mourinho’s first game in charge of Manchester United, after succeeding Louis van Gaal, and the special one bagged a trophy first time out with a 2-1 win over Leicester City.
It didn’t inspire league success – United finished sixth – but they did end up winning the Europa League and a path back into the Champions League.
Leicester would endure a miserable title defence, sack their former hero Claudio Ranieri, and only just avoid relegation.
2015-16 – ARSENAL (v Chelsea)
Just like in 2017, Arsenal’s 2015 success meant little for the season to follow. The Gunners finished second behind Leicester in the league, despite beating the Foxes twice.
As for Chelsea, they sacked Mourinho for the second time, spent much of the year in the bottom five and ended a trophyless season 10th.
2014-15 – ARSENAL (v Man City)
Another win for Arsenal from which they failed to kick on. The Gunners trounced Man City 3-0, but would finished 12 points behind league leaders Chelsea.
City didn’t offer much either. Manuel Pellegrini’s men were eight points behind champions Chelsea, and didn’t get far in any cup competition.
2013-14 – MAN UNITED (v Wigan)
A real Community Shield curse this one. David Moyes took charge of Man United for the first time, and like Mourinho, won a trophy first time out.
We know what happened after that. Moyes and United never gelled, they finished seventh in the league and the Scot was ditched before the end of the season.
2012-13 – MAN CITY (v Chelsea)
Man City would claim the Community Shield, but Chelsea had the better season by reaching both domestic cup semi-finals and the Europa League.
Both teams were beaten to the Premier League by Man United, however.
2011-12 – MAN UNITED (v Man City)
United edged this thriller 3-2, but it would be City who would have the last laugh come May, 2012.
Sergio Aguero, anybody?
Community Shield verdict
The Community Shield certainly doesn’t give much away. In fact, only once in the last seven years has a team playing in it gone on to win that season’s league title.
Could that be bad news for Man City and Chelsea? We’ll find out in May. Don’t forget to check out our Big Match Breakdown of the game on our website.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
