Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: 2025 FA Community Shield match preview, prediction
Crystal Palace will take on Liverpool in the 2025 FA Community Shield. Photo Credit- The Irish Post
The 2025 FA Community Shield, the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season, pits FA Cup winners Crystal Palace against Premier League champions Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 10, 2025, with a 3:00 PM BST kick-off. This clash promises a tantalizing blend of Palace’s newfound ambition and Liverpool’s relentless pursuit of silverware. With both teams coming off historic 2024/25 campaigns, we delve into their performances, tactics, team news, injuries, head-to-head statistics, and predict the scoreline for this high-stakes showdown.
Crystal Palace team performances
The Eagles soared to new heights in the 2024/25 season, clinching their first major trophy with a stunning 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, courtesy of Eberechi Eze’s heroics. Under Oliver Glasner, Palace finished 12th in the Premier League, a dip from their previous season, but their late-season form was formidable, going unbeaten in their final five league matches, including wins over Wolves (4-2), Manchester City (1-0), and Tottenham (2-0). Their FA Cup run showcased resilience, with structured pressing and quick transitions proving key. Pre-season, however, was inconsistent, with three wins from six friendlies, including a 3-1 victory over Augsburg but a 3-2 loss to Mainz, suggesting room for improvement in defensive cohesion. Palace’s European qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League adds further motivation to make a statement at Wembley.
Crystal Palace tactical breakdown
Glasner’s 4-2-3-1 formation emphasizes a compact midfield, rapid counterattacks, and high pressing. Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta form a dynamic attacking duo, with Eze’s creativity (one goal, multiple chances created in the FA Cup final) and Mateta’s physicality troubling defenses. Wingers could exploit wide areas, while full-backs, potentially new signing Borna Sosa, push forward to support transitions. Palace’s disciplined defense, led by Marc Guehi, was key in their FA Cup triumph, though their pre-season conceded 3.2 goals per game on average, indicating potential weaknesses against Liverpool’s attack. Expect Palace to sit deep, absorb pressure, and target counters, aiming to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm.
Crystal Palace team news and injuries
Midfielder Cheick Doucouré is a major doubt, continuing recovery from a serious knee injury sustained mid-2024/25. Defender Chadi Riad, sidelined by a ligament injury, is back in training but unlikely to feature. However, Glasner has a near-full-strength squad otherwise, with new signings Walter Benitez (goalkeeper, free from PSV Eindhoven) and Borna Sosa (left-back, £2m from Ajax) potentially debuting. Marc Guehi, despite transfer speculation linking him to Liverpool, is expected to start, anchoring the defense alongside Joachim Andersen. Eberechi Eze, fending off Arsenal’s interest, will be pivotal in attack, with Jean-Philippe Mateta leading the line.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Benitez; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Sosa; Wharton, Hughes; Olise, Eze, Schlupp; Mateta.
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Liverpool team form
The Reds stormed to the 2024/25 Premier League title with 86 points, ending Manchester City’s four-year dominance. Arne Slot, in his debut season, molded a prolific side, with Mohamed Salah netting 34 goals across all competitions. Liverpool’s pre-season was impressive, winning four of five friendlies, including 4-1 and 3-2 victories over Athletic Club, though a 4-2 loss to AC Milan exposed defensive vulnerabilities. Despite faltering late in the league season after securing the title, Liverpool’s attacking output (86 league goals) and high-pressing style under Slot signal their intent to dominate. Their Community Shield pedigree is unmatched, with 16 titles, the most recent a 3-1 win over Manchester City in 2022.
Liverpool tactics
Slot’s 4-3-3 blends high-intensity pressing with fluid attacking play. New signings Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike bolster an already potent squad. Wirtz’s creativity in midfield, paired with Frimpong and Kerkez’s pace at full-back, allows Liverpool to stretch opponents. Mohamed Salah remains the focal point, supported by Darwin Nunez (potentially in his final game before a potential move to Al Hilal) and Cody Gakpo. Posts on social media highlight Liverpool’s aggressive pressing, with Wirtz shadowing multiple players and full-backs pushing high, though this leaves gaps for counters, as noted in pre-season analyses. Liverpool will likely dominate possession (58% in pre-season) and target Palace’s flanks.
Liverpool team news and injuries
Conor Bradley (minor injury) and Joe Gomez (pre-season injury concerns) face late fitness tests. Alisson Becker is expected to return after missing pre-season due to personal reasons, while Federico Chiesa’s availability remains uncertain. Arne Slot’s revamped squad features high-profile signings Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Ryan Gravenberch is available despite a prior red card, as his suspension applies only to the Premier League. Mohamed Salah, with 29 league goals last season, and Darwin Núñez, amid transfer rumors, are set to lead the attack. Virgil van Dijk, back from illness, will marshal the defense.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konaté, Kerkez; Wirtz, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo.
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Crystal Palace vs Liverpool head-to-head statistics
Crystal Palace and Liverpool have faced off 34 times since 1997 across all competitions, with Liverpool holding a commanding edge: Liverpool with 20 wins, while Crystal Palace has nine wins and 5 draws. Liverpool with 66 goals (2.1 per game), Palace 34 goals (1.1 per game). However, In the last five meetings, Palace won 1 (1-0 at Anfield, April 2024), Liverpool won 2, and 2 ended in draws, including a 1-1 stalemate on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season. Five of the last six encounters saw under 2.5 goals, suggesting tight, low-scoring affairs. The last cup clash, in the 2015 FA Cup, saw Liverpool win 2-1 at Selhurst Park. Palace’s FA Cup triumph and their Anfield upset last season prove they can trouble Liverpool, but the Reds’ superior record at Wembley (four wins in their last five finals) and overall quality give them the edge.
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool score prediction
Liverpool’s superior squad depth, bolstered by high-profile signings, and their attacking firepower (3.0 goals per game in pre-season) make them favorites. Palace’s disciplined defense and counterattacking threat, led by Eze and Mateta, suggest they’ll find the net, as seen in their 1-1 draw last season. However, Liverpool’s quality, particularly through Salah and Wirtz, should prevail in a competitive encounter. The Reds’ vulnerability to counters, and Palace’s FA Cup pedigree ensure a close contest, but Liverpool’s Wembley record tips the scales.
