Big-Match Preview - Chelsea v United

Competition: FA Community Shield
Kick-Off & Date: 3pm, Sunday 8th August
Venue: Wembley, London (Neutral)
Live TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1 (HD & 3D), 2:30pm - 6pm

Referee: Andre Marriner (Birmingham)
Assistant Referees: Jake Collin & Adam Watts
Fourth Official: Mike Jones


Form Guide: Chelsea have lost their last three pre-season games, at Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburg. However The Blues have scored in each of those matches, ending 3-1, 2-1 and 2-1 respectively. Carlo Ancelotti has said he hopes his side will bounce-back, although United are in the way.

United won 7-1 on Wednesday night, against a weak League of Ireland select XI. That victory may give the lads some confidence, but it could also spark some cockiness too. Sir Alex's men lost two games on tour, winning the rest (4, including the game in Dublin).


The Injury Front: Chelsea will start Henrique Hilário in-goal in place of Ross Turnbull - who did not impress on tour. Petr Cech is suffering from a calf injury and is set to miss the start of the season. Didier Drogba will be on the bench, after a hernia operation a few weeks ago, while defenders Alex (calf) and Jose Boswinga (knee) remain absent.

United will be without Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves and Anderson - who will all miss the season's kick-off, and may be out for longer. Michael Carrick has been passed fit after a scare mid-week, with the Da Silva twins recovering from food poisoning. Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen will get 45 minutes or more each, while Chicharito could make his England debut against Chelsea (let's hope it's a memorable one).

• Follow the build-up, live match and reaction on Twitter

Your Need-To-Knows; 
 

The Gaffer: Carlo Ancelotti is either one hell of a manger or just a lucky duck. I'll go with the latter. In his first season at Stamford Bridge, he led Chelsea to an 'historic' Premier League and FA Cup double (sounds funny to us). Although when owner Roman Abramovich gets bored, he'll be gone as soon as he came...

Most-Feared: Michael Essien would have probably put Chelsea's Premier League title triumph beyond doubt last season, but he was injured in an International. He then missed the World Cup, but now he is back, and the dangerous midfielder could prove vital to The Blues this season.

The Ref: Andre Marriner hails from Birmingham, and hands-out 3.5 yellow cards per match on average, dishing-out a red every four matches. Marriner, 39, is only climbing-up the ranks at The FA - doing that by sending off Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic last season !