The 2019-20 European Football Season kicks off this weekend with the curtain raiser – Supercup in France, Germany and England. Trophée des Champions will be played in Shenzhen, China while the German DFL Supercup is at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund and the FA Community Shield is traditionally played in Wembley, London.
We begin in France (Trophée des Champions);
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v STADE RENNES – SAT. 03 AUG 2019, 12.30HRS
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Ligue 1 champions PSG take on Coupe de France winners Rennes in the 24th edition of Trophée des Champions. The capital club lost the cup final to Rennes in April and will be itching to get some sort of revenge back in Shenzhen. PSG rounded off their preseason in style defeating Sydney FC and will be confident of producing an outstanding performance. Coach Thomas Tuchel has a host of players unavailable including suspended Neymar but the attacking trio of Mbappe, Cavani and Jese impressed and will likely get the nod upfront. Julien Stéphan and Rennes have their sight on creating another scalp in China against the same opponent. However, Rennes preparation for the new season has been less inspiring; they have several players missing due to participation in the African Cup of Nations and they have struggled to score goals in their preparatory matches.
VERDICT – PSG and Rennes have met 42 times including three matches last season. PSG won the league meetings but lost on penalties to Rennes in the Cup final. An average of 2.4 goals is scored any time both teams face each therefore we can expect goals in Shenzhen. Thomas Tuchel team is out for revenge and will be motivated to get a victory. They are favorites for the game. Over 2.5 goals
To Germany (DFL Supercup);
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v STADE RENNES – SAT. 03 AUG 2019, 12.30HRS
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The DFL Supercup sees defending Bundesliga and DFB Pokal champions Bayern Munich face league runners-up Borussia Dortmund. Both teams will be looking to lay a marker down when they collide in the Supercup. It has been a perfect pre-season for Dortmund; wining all six matches and scoring 30 goals in the process. On the other hand, Bayern Munich aren’t far off as well, they beat Real Madrid and AC Milan in 2019 International Champions Cup but were unlucky to lose the Audi Cup final to Tottenham Hotsupr on penalties. There would be fireworks at Signal Iduna Park when these two German heavyweights clash regardless of the occasion. , both teams will adopt their attacking approach but Dortmund are slight favorites because of home advantage
VERDICT – Both teams will adopt an attacking approach. Goals are part of the Der Klassiker, 16 were scored in last three meetings between the two sides in all competitions. Dortmund might have the slight advantage because they play in front of their vociferous crowd but we can expect goals from both teams.
To England (FA Community Shield);
LIVERPOOL v MANCHESTER CITY – SUN. 04 AUG 2019, 15.00HRS
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78 days after completing a historic domestic treble, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City return to Wembley looking to secure back to back triumph in English football’s annual curtain raiser. Liverpool are in this contest by the virtue of being runners-up in the league and surprisingly their manager Jurgen Klopp has downplayed the significance of the season opener. Could this be down to the Reds mixed results in pre-season? The league champions have simply picked up where they stopped last season in pre-season with the only blemish being the penalty shootout loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League Asia Trophy.
VERDICT – Manchester City took four points off Liverpool which swung the title in City favor. With several stars returning late from summer holiday due to international commitment, we are not likely to see the both teams are their best. Regardless, a competitive game is anticipated with both managers rarely giving much away. City look better in terms of preparation and will likely edge it.
This wraps up our preview of the Supercup. Predict and win big by visiting our Sports shop Babaijebu.ng for mouthwatering offers in these three matches.