Community (fka Charity) Shield Preview

Filed in archive Premiership 2006/7 on August 13, 2006

I'll always call it the Charity Shield, just like I'll always call them linesmen instead of assistant referees. Maybe it's the first sign of getting old?

Whatever it's called, it's always worth watching, it happens today and it's Chelsea vs Liverpool.

Though it's ultimately a pre-season fixture the Charity Shield is always exciting, if only because it means six days until Premiership kick-off. It's also the first chance to get a good look at new signings, and the renewal of old rivalries.

Jose Mourinho has somehow developed rivalries with all the top managers, but Rafa Benitez seems to be the only one to get the better of him (remember that 2005 Champions League Semi-Final?). So it will be interesting to see how their new-look teams compare.

Chelsea have made the move into Real Madrid territory with the two big name signings of Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, while Liverpool have gambled on pacey bad-boys in Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant.

The Soccer Weblog prediction is that pace will win out over personality, if only because Liverpool have already played a competitive fixture.