2025 FA Community Shield Preview - Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool: Can the Eagles upset the Reds? August 7, 2025 by Marc Jerbs

The 2025/26 English football season kicks off in style with a captivating clash between Crystal Palace and Liverpool in the FA Community Shield. Scheduled for 3:00PM BST on August 10 at Wembley Stadium, this encounter pits the underdog resilience of Palace against the proven dominance of Liverpool—a true David vs Goliath affair, but one loaded with storylines and high expectations.

Crystal Palace: From Underdogs to FA Cup Heroes

Crystal Palace arrive at Wembley riding high on the momentum of a historic FA Cup win—their first major piece of silverware in over a century. Under the tactical leadership of Oliver Glasner, the Eagles stunned the football elite last season, knocking out both Manchester City and Chelsea in a remarkable cup run.

Glasner has implemented an aggressive 3-4-2-1 formation, balancing defensive solidity with explosive counterattacks. His system has transformed Palace from relegation battlers into legitimate contenders on big occasions.

Players to Watch:

Eberechi Eze: The creative heartbeat of Palace, Eze played a key role in the club's FA Cup success, finishing the season with 9 goals and 7 assists across all competitions.
Michael Olise: Despite heavy transfer interest, Olise committed his future to Selhurst Park and remains Palace's most inventive wide threat.
Marc Guéhi: Now an England international, Guéhi anchors the backline with composure and leadership.
Hugo Ekitike: Signed from PSG for a club-record fee, the young French striker is expected to add a clinical edge up front.

Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool Sports Bet Odds

The Reds are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:

The Reds are favored by 1 point, with a full-time result of 1.60.
The Eagles are the underdogs by 1 point, with a full-time result of 4.75.
Draw has a full-time result of 4.33.
Total Goals is set at 2.5 points, with the Under at 2.10 and the Over at 1.72.

Tactical Approach:

Palace will likely adopt a compact defensive shape out of possession, looking to hit on the break through the pace and movement of their wide players. Glasner's system relies on overlapping wingbacks and inside-forward combinations to capitalize on gaps behind Liverpool's high backline.

Liverpool: Champions Gearing Up for More

Fresh off their 2024/25 Premier League title win, Liverpool return to Wembley brimming with confidence and hunger. Arne Slot has seamlessly taken over from Jürgen Klopp, introducing a more refined possession-based style while preserving the side's pressing identity.

Last season's title race was among the tightest in recent memory, with Liverpool edging out Arsenal and Manchester City by a narrow two-point margin. Now, they aim to kick off the new campaign with more silverware.

Players to Watch:

Mohamed Salah: At 33, Salah continues to defy age with world-class performances—netting 17 league goals last season.
Dominik Szoboszlai: The Hungarian midfielder has become central to Liverpool's creativity, contributing 10 assists and dictating the tempo in midfield.
Virgil van Dijk: A constant presence at the back, Van Dijk continues to lead the defense with authority and intelligence.
João Neves: The exciting Portuguese midfielder, recently acquired from Benfica, brings energy, technical quality, and bite to the midfield engine room.

Tactical Approach:

Slot's preferred 4-2-3-1 system focuses on fluid attacking play, positional interchanges, and calculated pressing. Expect Liverpool to control large spells of possession, utilize wide overloads, and deploy full-backs like Alexander-Arnold and Robertson to stretch Palace's defensive lines.

What's at Stake?

For Crystal Palace, this match represents more than just a trophy—it's a chance to cement their place among English football's elite and showcase the progress they've made under Glasner.

Liverpool, on the other hand, will treat this as the first opportunity to add to their trophy cabinet in the Slot era. With high expectations from supporters and a deep, experienced squad, the Reds are unlikely to take this fixture lightly.

Palace will enjoy the freedom of being underdogs, with less pressure and plenty to prove. Liverpool see this as an important springboard for the season ahead—another step in reasserting their dominance.

Final Prediction

While the Community Shield is often seen as a glorified friendly, both clubs come into the match with momentum and motivation. Crystal Palace have the tools to frustrate and counter, but Liverpool's depth, experience, and attacking variety should ultimately tip the scales.