We’re back. As the Olympic flame begins to flicker, the football season crunches through the gears to take up the pace. Today’s Community Shield is the official curtain raiser and offers up a Man City vs Chelsea clash that will surely whet the appetite for the feast to come.

The first Dugout Discussion post of the season is here, then, with our Chatroom also open for those who fancy some real-time exchanges.

The team news from Villa Park goes a lot like this…

Chelsea are without one of their new midfield signings, as Marko Marin continues to nurse a hamstring which threatens to derail his double Gameweek prospects. Without the option of Marin, Roberto Di Matteo looks to be going with a 4-3-3, which could similarly shift to pack the midfield with a 4-5-1. Significantly, Juan Mata starts along with Eden Hazard: the Spaniard looks to be playing on the right of compatriot Fernando Torres, with Hazard given the left flank role. Mikel holds a midfield start, with Frank Lampard and Ramires alongside him. John Terry skippers the side in a familiar back four which has Branislav Ivanovic in the right-back role and David Luiz given the nod over Gary Cahill who sits on the bench.

City are without both Gareth Barry and Micah Richards through injury, while reports of a back problem for Joe Hart are confirmed as Costel Pantilimon starts in goal. Ahead of him it looks like a familiar 4-4-2, although there is talk of Roberto Mancini lining up in the 3-5-2 that he’s used throughout the pre-season. Stefan Savic is given the nod alongside Vincent Kompany who recovers from a knock to start: Lescott is presumably being preserved for next weekend. Pablo Zabaleta and, interestingly, Aleksandar Kolarov both get starts, with Clichy benched. It could be we see Zabaleta employed as a defensive three, with Kolarov and James Milner used as wing-backs. David Silva is kept on the bench after his Euro 2012 campaign and, with Barry also absent, Nigel De Jong gets the nod alongside Yaya Toure. Carlos Tevez will be expected to provide the support for Sergio Aguero up front; Mario Balotelli is out of the equation through conjunctivitis, apparently.

Let’s hope the match is a sight for his sore eyes. Enjoy the game.