Liverpool and Crystal Palace officially get the season underway with the Community Shield, a curtain-raiser to the Premier League season. What value is there for viewers?
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Liverpool vs Palace: Community Shield Preview
Palace make their debut at this level after winning the first piece of silverware in the club’s history in the 2024-2025 FA Cup final, beating Man City. None of the last four Community Shield debutantes have gone on to lift the trophy, indicating the size of their task. Star players Eberechi Eze, the match-winner against City, and defender Marc Guehi, are still at the club despite rumours linking them with moves to wealthier clubs. Palace do like playing at Wembley, winning four of their last six clashes on this ground. Can the FA Cup holders beat the Premier League champions?
Liverpool have been there, done that
They’ve even got the t-shirt. The Reds are competing in their 25th Community Shield this weekend. The champions of England have spent big, too, with Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, and Milos Kerkez all arriving for a total of £250 million.
H2H history
Liverpool have won 12 of the last 16 competitive meetings (D3, L1), but the Eagles have the edge in cup games since they’ve lost just two of the last six H2Hs in cup competitions (W3, D1).
Community Shield key stats
- Palace have led at half-time in their last four competitive matches.
- Four of Palace’s last five matches have featured under 2.5 goals.
- Seven of Liverpool’s last eight competitive matches saw both teams score.
- Liverpool ended last season with no wins in their last four matches (D2, L2).
- Three of the last five, includng the last two, Community Shields have been settled by penalty shootouts, often owing to the fact that these encounters don’t feature extra time.
- Four of the last five Community Shield matches have produced under 2.5 goals, as did both meetings between the sides in 2024/25, with a 1-1 draw at Anfield and the Reds winning 1-0 at Selhurst Park.
Key Players
England midfielder Eberezhi Eze would love to repeat his FA Cup heroics here, and he was on target the last time Palace beat Liverpool, and the 27-year-old has been involved in 12 goals in his last 13 games for Palace in all competitions. The Reds’ marquee signing, German playmaker Florian Wirtz, hasn’t lost any of the last 30 matches in which he’s scored (W25, D5) so manager Arne Slot might see him as a lucky charm off the bat.
Best Bet
Palace aren’t usually involved in high-scoring affairs. As this is a grand occasion, another low-scoring match could be on the cards. Under 2.5 goals looks a good bet.
