Liverpool and Crystal Palace’s 2025/26 competitive seasons will begin on Sunday afternoon when they meet at Wembley Stadium in the Community Shield, with both aiming to kick-start their campaigns by winning the first available silverware.
We break down the Community Shield clash and preview the fixture.
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Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
Sunday 10 August, 15:00
Wembley Stadium
Crystal Palace booked their place in this year’s Community Shield final after they brilliantly beat Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup Final thanks to Eberechi Eze’s 16th-minute strike, securing the club’s first ever major trophy in the process.
The Eagles went on to record an encouraging 12th-placed finish in the 2024/25 season, managing to break their points tally record in the English Premier League era as they recorded 53 points from 38 games.
Their encouraging form continued in pre-season as they recorded three wins, one draw and two defeats, though both of those losses came in their final three friendly fixtures – losing 3-2 to Mainz and 1-0 to Augsburg.
Now aiming to pick up where they left off from the end of last season and replicate their FA Cup Final upset, Palace will be hoping to steal a victory in the Community Shield final and continue their winning streak at Wembley.
Liverpool are significant favourites heading into the encounter, however, as the Reds are reigning Premier League champions and have had a sensational summer transfer window.
The likes of Florian Wirtz (for a British transfer record), Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have all joined the club, significantly strengthening their side as they aim to defend their title, dominate the domestic trophies and push for the UEFA Champions League trophy.
Liverpool have had a superb pre-season, winning four and losing just one, including three consecutive wins heading into Sunday’s Community Shield outing, leaving them in strong standing.
The Reds have also enjoyed their recent meetings with Crystal Palace, losing only one of the last 18 meetings across all competitions.
Team News
Crystal Palace will be without Chadi Riad (knee), Cheick Doucoure (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) for the Community Shield clash, while the remainder of the side should be available for selection.
Eze has been the subject of mass transfer speculation, with links to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, but Crystal Palace’s number 10 remains at the club and is expected to start alongside Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
As for Liverpool, Conor Bradley is a doubt to feature due to a muscle injury, while Joe Gomez is also out of action due to an Achilles tendon injury.
New signings Wirtz, Ekitike, Kerkez and Frimpong could all start, while the rest of the side is expected to be a familiar lineup to the majority of last campaign, including superstar Mohamed Salah in attack.
Crystal Palace Predicted XI: Henderson; Richards, Guehi, Lacroix; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta
Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
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Bet9ja Tips
Crystal Palace will be looking to replicate their FA Cup Final triumph, when they managed to snatch a victory despite taking just seven shots compared to Man City’s 23, but that may be a tough ask against the reigning Premier League champions.
Liverpool have pulled off several stunning deals in the summer transfer window, with Wirtz and Ekitike particularly impressive alongside the brilliance of Salah and Cody Gakpo, and we believe these stars will help lead the Reds to a comfortable victory. You can get odds for Liverpool to win of 1.62 at Bet9ja.
Salah was one of the best players in the world last season and certainly the best in English football, with the Egyptian ending the campaign with 34 goals and 23 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions, and we expect the winger to pick up where he left off with a goal. You can get odds for Salah to score anytime at 2.30.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Crystal Palace win: 5.20, Draw (after 90 mins): 4.25, Liverpool win: 1.62 – Bet Here
Liverpool to win in 90 minutes @1.62 – Book Here
Salah to score anytime @2.30 – Book Here
Under 1.5 goals @3.85 – Book here
