Mike Minay
BBC Radio Manchester

Here we go again! Another season of expectation and hope for Manchester City.

That said, it’s been an odd pre-season. Some stars who featured at Euro 2020 and the Copa America have only just begun to filter back into training, so the traditional curtain raiser won’t have a full strength feel about it.

No Phil Foden, no Kevin de Bruyne and no Jack Grealish (to start with, anyway), but there's been impressive displays from Riyad Mahrez who scored in all three pre-season games.

Expect some new names on the team-sheet too.

Like Mahrez, 18-year-old Sam Edozie has netted three times, while Cole Palmer, who debuted last season, Morgan Rogers and James McAtee might also be in the frame.

Ian Stringer
BBC Radio Leicester Sport

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I expect Brendan Rodgers to utilise the squad. That said, I think he’ll start with a strong 11 and use the six substitutes allowed later in the game.

He will be wary of picking up any injuries after what happened to Wesley Fofana against Villarreal - especially in defensive areas, with James Justin and Jonny Evans also in the treatment room and Timothy Castagne having not trained once with the mask he'll be required to wear following a facial injury at the Euros.

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Team news is due in a few minutes but we already know Jack Grealish is NOT starting.

"He will be on the bench and we'll see what happens," said Pep Guardiola on the eve of the match.

"After we'll see what happens but from the beginning, no way."

As for Leicester, French defender Wesley Fofana faces a significant spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg in a friendly on Wednesday.

Three months after their FA Cup triumph, Leicester are back at Wembley to take on runaway champions Manchester City.

As well as firing the starting gun on the new season, the Community Shield marks the return of capacity crowds at the national stadium following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

It may be a glorified friendly to some, but we've got ourselves a proper atmosphere with up to 70,000 expected.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, EPA

Image source, Getty Images

It's only a month since the Euros, while the Olympics continue to dominate the headlines.

But football is back!

This time next week the Premier League season will be well under way, with newly promoted Brentford hosting Arsenal next Friday before the ever so friendly Saturday lunchtime fixture between Manchester United and Leeds.

First, there's a massive shield to be won.

Twenty-seven days after cutting a dejected figure following England's agonising Euro 2020 final defeat, Jack Grealish is back at Wembley.

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One of the most entertaining players in the country, now a £100m man playing for Premier League champions Manchester City.

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Will the most expensive player in English football history provide the first bit of spark of the new season?

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