The new season begins with the traditional curtain-raiser, as FA Cup winners Crystal Palace meet Premier League champions Liverpool in the Community Shield.
The Reds have had an exciting summer of transfer activity as they aim to win more silverware under Arne Slot, while Palace are delighted to be back at Wembley Stadium. Which way will this one go?
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool best bets
- Liverpool to win by one goal – 12/5 with Spreadex
- Both teams to score – 5/6 with Betfair
- Mohamed Salah to score any time – 5/4 with Ladbrokes
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool odds
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Crystal Palace vs Liverpool predictions
Liverpool’s summer was overshadowed by the tragic death of Diogo Jota, who passed away alongside his brother Andre Silva following a car accident in Spain.
Jota’s passing at the tender age of 28 will have left a huge mark on his former team-mates, many of whom shared a dressing room with him for five years.
Liverpool have paid their respects to their former attacker throughout pre-season and they will do so again on Sunday, no doubt in unison with Crystal Palace and their supporters.
Further ahead, Liverpool will be even more determined than usual to have a successful season in order to honour their eternal No.20.
Premier League champions last time out, Liverpool are the bookies’s favourites to win the title again after a busy summer of transfer activity.
The Reds showed in 2024/25 that recruitment is not everything. Despite not signing a single player to improve their starting XI, Liverpool finished top in Arne Slot’s debut campaign at the helm.
They have been far busier ahead of the upcoming season. Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have arrived from Bayer Leverkusen, while Liverpool have also bought Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth and Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
So far the Merseysiders have spent in excess of £265m on new players – and they might not be done there.
Crystal Palace have been much less active up to now, with left wing-back Borna Sosa and back-up goalkeeper Walter Benitez their only additions.
The FA Cup holders have at least managed to keep hold of their key players as of the first week of August, with Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ebere Eze all still part of Oliver Glasner’s squad.
Palace will find out soon whether their appeal against their demotion to the Conference League, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport set to announce their verdict on Monday.
In some ways that is a bigger deal than the Community Shield, but Palace fans will relish their third appearance at Wembley Stadium in 2025.
While Liverpool are used to playing in this fixture, Palace are not. This will be the south Londoners’ debut appearance in the Community Shield, whereas Liverpool are appearing for the 25th time. Only Manchester United (31) have been involved more often.
Will that experience give Liverpool the edge, or might it be beginner’s luck for Palace?
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool betting tips
Will Crystal Palace or Liverpool be celebrating come the final whistle on Sunday?
Liverpool to win by one goal
Liverpool were by far and away the best team in the Premier League last season, and they have only strengthened their squad since then.
Granted, Trent Alexander-Arnold is a big loss but Liverpool have done some impressive work in the transfer market ahead of the big kick-offs.
They should have too much for Crystal Palace this weekend. Glasner’s boys were excellent in the second half of last term and they held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw on the final day of the Premier League season.
Palace are awkward opponents and their pressing should be sharp after a full pre-season, but Liverpool’s superior quality should win the day.
This will probably be a close game with the Reds edging it after 90 minutes.
Go for a Liverpool win by one goal at 12/5 with Spreadex
Both teams to score
Crystal Palace had a slow start to last season, winning only one of their first 13 matches, but once everything clicked they were largely excellent.
Indeed, from the start of December until the end of May, only six Premier League sides had better records than Glasner’s team – and that does not even include their run to FA Cup glory.
Palace have scored in 31 out of their last 34 competitive matches, and with Mateta, Eze and Ismaila Sarr in attack, they should find the back of the net against Liverpool.
Both managers want to win this match, but the Community Shield is not as important as the Premier League.
Defensive rigour may therefore not be at its highest, which is good news for the neutrals.
Back both teams to score at 5/6 with Betfair
Mohamed Salah to score any time
Liverpool fans are excited to see big-money signing Ekitike in action over the next few weeks and months.
The Frenchman should chip in with a fair few goals this season, while Florian Wirtz will also be expected to contribute in the final third.
Yet there is no doubt that Mohamed Salah, the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner in 2024/25, is still Liverpool’s main man.
Salah is a Liverpool legend and Crystal Palace will struggle to keep him off the scoresheet at Wembley.
Tip Mohamed Salah to score any time at 5/4 with Ladbrokes
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
- Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England.
- Date and time: Sunday 10th August, 3pm.
- How to watch: TNT Sports 1, discovery+.
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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