For Crystal Palace, this will be a historic afternoon. It’s the first time the Eagles have ever featured in the Community Shield, a reward for their FA Cup triumph under Oliver Glasner last season. That win brought silverware to Selhurst Park and demonstrated the progress Palace have made under their Austrian manager. However, preparations for the new campaign have not been straightforward.
Off-field issues have dominated headlines, with Palace being demoted from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League following a breach of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. Their appeal is still pending, but the uncertainty has impacted their transfer business. Only Ajax left-back Borna Sosa and goalkeeper Walter Benítez have arrived, with a combined spend of just £2 million.
The real success for Glasner this summer has been retaining key players Jean-Philippe Mateta, Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze despite interest from bigger clubs. Palace will need all three at their best to challenge Liverpool at Wembley.
Liverpool, on the other hand, arrive with the confidence of champions and the momentum of an ambitious transfer window. New manager Arne Slot has been backed heavily, with the club securing statement signings including Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.
The Reds have looked sharp in pre-season, winning four of their five friendlies and scoring 15 goals in the process. Yet for all their attacking threat, defensive concerns linger. Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 matches across all competitions, and their record against Palace is mixed, with only two wins from their last six meetings.
Wembley has been a happy hunting ground for Liverpool in recent years, with four victories from their last five finals under the arch. Slot will know that winning the Community Shield is no guarantee of league success — only one of the last 11 winners has gone on to lift the Premier League title in the same season — but silverware so early in his reign would underline the intent of his new-look side.
Much of the attacking spotlight will fall on Cody Gakpo, who has been in outstanding form in pre-season, scoring four goals in four appearances. The Dutch forward has also built a reputation for delivering in cup competitions, with 16 goals in 32 appearances in Europe and domestic cups over the past two seasons.
Palace are unlikely to be overawed by the occasion. Glasner’s tactical discipline and emphasis on quick transitions make them dangerous opponents for any side, particularly if Eberechi Eze can find space between the lines. The Eagles have scored in each of their last 13 matches in all competitions, and they have the firepower to trouble a Liverpool backline that is still adapting to Slot’s methods.
From a betting perspective, recent trends point towards goals at both ends. Both teams have scored in five of the last six Community Shield matches, and Liverpool’s defensive record suggests that run could continue. At the same time, the Reds’ attacking options — Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Gakpo and Wirtz — give them enough firepower to outscore almost anyone.
Backing both teams to score looks a strong option, while a Liverpool win with goals on both sides could offer extra value. For those looking at individual markets, Gakpo to score anytime stands out given his current form and history in one-off games.
Ultimately, the Community Shield may not define either team’s season, but it will provide an early measure of form and cohesion. Liverpool have the depth, quality and attacking rhythm to edge it, but Palace’s spirit and ability to rise for big occasions mean this could be a far closer contest than some might expect. For Slot, victory would be the perfect way to launch his tenure. For Palace, lifting the Shield at the first attempt would write another chapter in what has already been a historic year for the club.