The FA Community Shield is the curtain-raiser to the English season.
It is played between the FA cup winners and the Premiership champions. And this year it will be Chelsea and Liverpool who will contest for this trophy.These two teams have over the years, developed a rivalry which equals even the United-Arsenal one.
For the past two years, backed by Roman Abramovich, Chelsea have been a force to reckon with, not only in the English Premier league but also in Europe. Jose Mourinho brought in Stamford Bridge’s first title after 1955 two seasons ago and the Londoners defended it successfully last season. The Londoners are also the defending champions of the Community Shield this season, having beaten the Gunners 2-1 last time around.   Jose  would be hoping to do with the Shield what he did with the Premiership too.
Liverpool on the other hand, may be termed as the silent assassins. Twice in 2 years they  have come back from a deficit of more that 3 goals to win the match. No one can ever forget Istanbul,where the Reds defeated AC Milan after trailing 3-0 at the lemon break. The other occasion was the FA cup encounter aginst Luton Town,which will also be remembered for Xabi Alonso’s screamer from the half way line. Liverpool went to win that event , beating West Ham United in a thrilling final on penalties.
The two most notable players to walk into the Bridge this season are undoubtedly Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko. Both are high profile signings and are individual captains of their countries-Germany and Ukraine, who made their debut in this years world cup. On the other hand the signings of Liverpool have not been as expensive, but have definitely been as noteworthy . A few of the new faces which we would see wearing red (pardon the pun) would be Craig Bellamy, the temperamental Welsh striker, Jermaine Pennant, and Mark Gonzalez, another addition to the Spanish armada of Liverpool which already include Luis Garcia, Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso.Rafael Benitez has moulded the Meryseysiders into a formidable unit and they will feel that this might just be their year.

It is a point to note that many of Chelsea’s regulars from last season might miss this game. Chelsea will be without their rock in goal, the ever dependable Petr Cech. The versatile William Gallas will also most probably miss this game. Chelsea also will also be on the field without  midfielder Joe Cole who is also recovering after an ankle surgery. Frank Lampard  will play in the center with Michael Ballack, and this will be their first major match together. Upfront Andriy Shevchenko will partner Didier Drogba who scored a brace in the same fixture last season around.
Liverpool may not play the duo of Robbie Fowler and Fabio Aurelio to protect them for the Premiership.
This may be the most difficult match to predict for at such an early stage of the season but already bookies have their Odds set on Chelsea.

My verdict is Liverpool edging out Chelsea in 90- minutes marginally by the odd goal or two.
2-1 to Liverpool.