Only a Didier Drogba goal separated Chelsea and Manchester United when the sides met in the FA Cup at the end of last season. Now, the two rivals meet again in the FA Community Shield.
Here we look at how the two strikeforces could fare.
NEW ARRIVALS
Both teams boast considerable artillery having added new faces to their attacks over the summer.
Claudio Pizarro's arrival will put Andriy Shevchenko under even greater pressure in what seems certain to be a make-or-break season for the Ukrainian. The Peruvian has proven pedigree having played in the Champions League for Bayern Munich, and there are few better at holding the ball up.
Sir Alex Ferguson pulled off a major coup of his own in securing the services of Anderson, one of the world's most highly-rated youngsters. Not only will the Brazilian be groomed to succeed Paul Scholes as United's main threat from midfield, his versatility means he is comfortable in a front three.
KEY MEN
Few strikers possess talent like United's Wayne Rooney, but the England international will be aiming to score on a more regular basis this season. The 21-year-old is always a real handful around the edge of the area with his tricks and flicks and will give the Blues defence plenty to think about.
Drogba found the net a stunning 33 times last season - topping the Premier League scoring charts to leave Shevchenko firmly in the shade. He has a knack of scoring crucial goals in big games and will aim to repeat his FA Cup final strike on Sunday.
SUBSTITUTES
With the new season less than a week away both Ferguson and Jose Mourinho will be keen to give their squad players a run out, especially in a game where the odd goal could make all the difference.
Salomon Kalou netted a creditable nine goals in his first season in England and will be pushing for further opportunities this term. The Ivorian boasts blistering pace and showed considerable aerial prowess last term.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Louis Saha missing through injury, Giuseppe Rossi departed and Alan Smith looking likely to follow him, Ferguson may bring summer signings Nani or Anderson into the midfield and push Cristiano Ronaldo or Ryan Giggs further forward.
TACTICAL OPTIONS
Both managers have so much attacking talent at their disposal they may attempt to keep one another guessing at how they will line up.
Mourinho has hinted at reverting to the 4-3-3 formation he used to so effectively in his first season in charge. If so, the central striking role would almost certainly be taken by Drogba, with Joe Cole and Florent Malouda leading the claims for the wide berths.
If United finally sign Carlos Tevez, Ferguson has already hinted at playing him up alongside Rooney with Cristiano Ronaldo playing in behind. Until then last season's 4-3-3 with Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs flanking Rooney looks the most likely alternative.
NEW ARRIVALS
Both teams boast considerable artillery having added new faces to their attacks over the summer.
Claudio Pizarro's arrival will put Andriy Shevchenko under even greater pressure in what seems certain to be a make-or-break season for the Ukrainian. The Peruvian has proven pedigree having played in the Champions League for Bayern Munich, and there are few better at holding the ball up.
Sir Alex Ferguson pulled off a major coup of his own in securing the services of Anderson, one of the world's most highly-rated youngsters. Not only will the Brazilian be groomed to succeed Paul Scholes as United's main threat from midfield, his versatility means he is comfortable in a front three.
KEY MEN
Few strikers possess talent like United's Wayne Rooney, but the England international will be aiming to score on a more regular basis this season. The 21-year-old is always a real handful around the edge of the area with his tricks and flicks and will give the Blues defence plenty to think about.
Drogba found the net a stunning 33 times last season - topping the Premier League scoring charts to leave Shevchenko firmly in the shade. He has a knack of scoring crucial goals in big games and will aim to repeat his FA Cup final strike on Sunday.
SUBSTITUTES
With the new season less than a week away both Ferguson and Jose Mourinho will be keen to give their squad players a run out, especially in a game where the odd goal could make all the difference.
Salomon Kalou netted a creditable nine goals in his first season in England and will be pushing for further opportunities this term. The Ivorian boasts blistering pace and showed considerable aerial prowess last term.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Louis Saha missing through injury, Giuseppe Rossi departed and Alan Smith looking likely to follow him, Ferguson may bring summer signings Nani or Anderson into the midfield and push Cristiano Ronaldo or Ryan Giggs further forward.
TACTICAL OPTIONS
Both managers have so much attacking talent at their disposal they may attempt to keep one another guessing at how they will line up.
Mourinho has hinted at reverting to the 4-3-3 formation he used to so effectively in his first season in charge. If so, the central striking role would almost certainly be taken by Drogba, with Joe Cole and Florent Malouda leading the claims for the wide berths.
If United finally sign Carlos Tevez, Ferguson has already hinted at playing him up alongside Rooney with Cristiano Ronaldo playing in behind. Until then last season's 4-3-3 with Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs flanking Rooney looks the most likely alternative.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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