Introduction – Wembley Awaits
The 103rd FA Community Shield offers a historic contest at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 10th August 2025.
This year’s clash is between Premier League Champions Liverpool and FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in what promises to be an entertaining opener to the season.
Liverpool have adorned their trophy cabinet and strengthened their squad with summer signings, while Crystal Palace are making their debut at Wembley for the Community Shield after their FA Cup victory against Manchester City in May.
The match will not only determine who lifts the first trophy of the 2025/26 season but will also be an early litmus test for both teams and a chance for fans and bettors to see how both teams come into the first months of the season.
Match Details
Fixture: Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Competition: FA Community Shield 2025 – Final
Date: Sunday 10 August 2025
Time: 02:00 PM (UTC)
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Referee: To be confirmed
Liverpool are 16-time winners of the Community Shield (5 shared) and are appearing for the 25th time in the competition. Palace will again be hoping to upset the odds as they did at Wembley a few months ago.
Crystal Palace – FA Cup Giant Killers
Crystal Palace have undergone a metamorphosis under Oliver Glasner. Their well-drilled tactical setup and lethal counter-attack led to them pulling off a shock in the FA Cup final against Manchester City – finally winning a major trophy after a wait of 120 years.
Summer Preparation
Palace ended preseason with a mixed bag – winning 3-1 against Augsburg's first team but losing narrowly 1-0 to the German side's reserves. In the transfer market, Palace have been pretty quiet, adding:
Borna Sosa (Ajax, LB)
Walter Benitez (PSV, GK)
The key for Palace has been holding on to their stars, especially Eberechi Eze, who scored the winner in the FA Cup final and has now been involved in 12 goals in their last 13 matches.
Liverpool - The Premier League Royals Fully Ready to Defend Their Title
Arne Slot's first full season as head coach couldn't have gone any better domestically - they controlled the Premier League and are now joint favorites with Manchester City to repeat.
Summer Business
Liverpool have spent plenty to strengthen their squad:
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen, AM)
Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen, RB)
Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt, ST)
Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth, LB)
They've also had some big departures - Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid and Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich.
Pre-season the Reds were free-scoring but couldn’t keep clean sheets, conceding in every game.
Crystal Palace versus Liverpool Head-to-Head
Total matches: 66
Liverpool wins: 37
Crystal Palace wins: 15
Draws: 14
Recent history is distinctly in Liverpool’s favor: 12 wins in the last 16 matches, although Palace has had better success in cup competitions.
Recent Form & Pre-Season Results
Crystal Palace – Last 5 games
Augsburg 1-3 Palace (Friendly)
Augsburg reserves 1-0 Palace
Palace 2-1 QPR (Friendly)
Palace 0-1 Arsenal (Friendly)
FA Cup Final: Palace 1-0 Man City
Liverpool – Last 5 games
Liverpool 3-2 Athletic Bilbao
Liverpool B 4-1 Athletic Bilbao
Liverpool 5-3 Preston
Liverpool 3-1 Yokohama Marinos
Liverpool 1-2 Inter Milan
Confirmed & Predicted Line-ups
Crystal Palace Expected XI
Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Muñoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze
Liverpool Expected XI
Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konaté, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Tactical Analysis – The Team Match-Up
Liverpool will aim to dominate the ball via the midfield partnership of Mac Allister and Gravenberch, with Wirtz as the creative fulcrum. Frimpong and Kerkez offer attacking width, as Salah and Gakpo provide length to Palace's back three.
Palace will look to funnel Liverpool into a well-organized press, defending compactly and quickly transitioning into attack, exploiting Liverpool's notoriously dissected high defensive line. In addition, the spatial connection between Eze and Mateta could be significant in breaking down Liverpool's high full-backs.
Key Match-Ups
Eze vs Frimpong – Palace's playmaker vs Liverpool's dynamic new right-back
Mateta vs Van Dijk – Physicality matters in the box.
Wirtz vs Wharton – The creative freezer versus defensive discipline.
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool Betting Preview
Win/Draw/Win Market
Liverpool win: Since Liverpool came in as strong favorites based on depth of play and head-to-head.
Draw: Range of drawn games. A draw could be Davis's task as a player if a point means managing to maintain within a tight margin all the way to penalties.
Palace win: Range of odds which can be a higher reward for the risk taker.
Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
Liverpool haven't kept a clean sheet in 13 competitive games, while Palace have scored in 12 of their last 13; BTTS odds are promising.
Over/Under Goals
Over 2.5 goals have landed in 4 of Liverpool's last 5 matches. Expect high attacking flow.
Correct Score Predictions
2-1 Liverpool
3-1 Liverpool (Value bet based on odds offered)
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool Prediction
Liverpool has the advantage based on firepower and depth of squad; however, Palace can get a little resilient. Going with this factor makes the game closer than the odds would suggest. Expect an open game with goals.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace.
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Final Thoughts on the Match and Who Lifts the Shield?
Liverpool are the favorites, and while Palace's utter fairytale run continues to inspire, this would likely be a bridge too far. Expect goals, drama, and a possible late winner.
Final Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace
Best Bet: Liverpool to win & BTTS