This Sunday, August 10, at Wembley Stadium, the stage is set for the 103rd FA Community Shield, where Premier League champions Liverpool face off against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. For Liverpool, it’s another chance to lift early silverware under Arne Slot after their title-winning campaign.
Meanwhile, Palace make their inaugural appearance in the Community Shield, a milestone following a historic first FA Cup triumph. The Lions will defend their trophy against a well-oiled Reds side bolstered by fresh signings and high expectations—this promises to be a showpiece that blends ambition, legacy, and competitive hunger at the dawn of a new season.
Prediction
While there might be an echo of unpredictability in the early-season kickoff, all signs point to Liverpool as the likely trophy-lifters. They remain firm favourites in betting markets, often around 8/13 or 8/15 odds, while Palace stand at longer odds of approximately 5/1 or 4/1. A common betting preview scenario sees Liverpool winning inside 90 minutes—not just a safe play but also well supported by the club’s recent form, squad depth, and summer momentum.
Expert writers have forecast a 2–1 victory for the Reds, or more expansively, a 3–1 outcome for those favouring a clearer edge. However, many anticipate both teams to score, reflecting Palace’s spirited attack and Liverpool’s occasional defensive lapses. Overall, a Liverpool win with both teams scoring is the consensus.
Head‑to‑head
The rivalry between these two clubs favors Liverpool decisively. Historically, Liverpool have recorded 37 victories in competitive fixtures compared to Crystal Palace’s 15, with 14 draws. Yet, those wins by Palace have become more frequent recently—a notable 1–0 victory at Anfield in April 2024 under Oliver Glasner showed they are no pushovers.
Although there have been some heavy defeats (the infamous 7–0 at Selhurst Park in 2020 remains in memory), recent matchups have been tight and often drawn or settled by a single goal. At Wembley, this is a first—neither side has met there in a competitive fixture, adding a layer of novelty to their historic rivalry.
Possible line‑ups
For Crystal Palace, manager Oliver Glasner is expected to set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Henderson in goal; Richards, Guehi, and Lacroix forming a central defensive trio; Munoz and Mitchell on the flanks; Hughes and Kamada in central midfield; and Eze and Sarr supporting Mateta up front.
Liverpool, under Arne Slot, may deploy a 4-2-3-1. Alisson returns in goal following personal commitments, while Milos Kerkez, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Jeremie Frimpong likely form the backline—Bradley and Gomez remain doubtful due to injury concerns. Ahead, Mac Allister and Gravenberch anchor the midfield, with Salah, Wirtz, and Gakpo feeding into the lone striker, Hugo Ekitike.
Pre-season has also illuminated the roles of fresh faces like Wirtz, whose creative influence adds dimension in midfield; Ekitike, pushing for an attacking role; and Ngumoha, the 16-year-old winger whose recent youth form has caught the eye.
Betting tips
Wen it comes to placing bets, the markets favour Liverpool—particularly in short format outcomes. Liverpool to win in regulation time is perhaps the most straightforward and widely backed option. Given both teams’ recent trends, a Both Teams to Score (BTTS) bet also holds appeal, with many tips combining both: Liverpool to win with both sides scoring.
Odds for BTTS are often around 1.75 or better, enhancing value if you believe Palace can breach Liverpool’s defence. More ambitious bettors might target a 1–3 correct score, as seen in expert previews.