Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Premier League Pick & Prediction, 27 September 2025
The two remaining unbeaten records in the 2025-26 Premier League season go head-to-head on Saturday, as Crystal Palace welcome reigning champions Liverpool to Selhurst Park.
This marks the second clash between the sides within just a couple of weeks, following Crystal Palace’s FA Community Shield triumph in August. The League Cup draw has even paired them once again in late October, ensuring this developing rivalry will be one of the recurring themes of the early season.
While the Eagles’ resilience has carried them into the top half, their tendency to draw has left them six points behind Arne Slot’s perfect Reds. With Liverpool eyeing a sixth successive league win and Palace boasting the joint-best defensive record in the division, this clash promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the weekend.
Eagles Soaring Under Glasner: Palace Eye 12-Game Unbeaten Run
Crystal Palace head into the weekend boasting the longest unbeaten streak in the Premier League (11 games), having edged West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium last weekend courtesy of goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell. Oliver Glasner’s side have conceded just two goals in five matches, a defensive record matched only by Arsenal, and their organisation has been key to their strong start.
Selhurst Park will be rocking again, but injuries remain a concern. Walter Benitez, Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Odsonne Edouard are all sidelined. However, both Ismaila Sarr and summer signing Yeremy Pino trained this week and could return, which would add much-needed attacking threat following Eze’s departure this summer.
One player who relishes the big stage is Ismaïla Sarr. With four goals and two assists in seven career appearances against Liverpool, the Senegalese winger has made a habit of tormenting the Reds. Fans will remember his two goals and an assist in Watford’s famous 3-0 win over Jurgen Klopp’s title-winning side in February 2020, just before football’s COVID shutdown.
More recently, Sarr was decisive again with a goal and assist in Palace’s Community Shield triumph last month, and he also netted on the final day of last season in a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Liverpool Aiming to Maintain Perfect Start Despite Injury and Suspension Setbacks
The trip to Selhurst Park also kicks off a demanding run for Liverpool, who now face three consecutive away games. After Palace, Arne Slot’s men travel to Turkey for a Champions League meeting with Galatasaray before another Premier League clash at Chelsea. Their victory over Southampton in midweek – their last home outing before next month’s international break – was a reminder that even heavily rotated sides can grind out results.
Remarkably, Liverpool will not return to Anfield until the second half of October when they welcome bitter rivals Manchester United in one of the most anticipated games of any given Premier League season.
Liverpool’s midweek League Cup victory over Southampton (2-1) stretched their winning streak to seven in all competitions, though it came at a cost. Hugo Ekitike grabbed the late winner but was then sent off for an unnecessary celebration, meaning the French forward will miss the trip to Selhurst Park. That opens the door for Alexander Isak’s full Premier League debut, with the Swede likely to spearhead the attack.
The Reds also suffered a blow with Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury, most likely ruling the Italian teenage defender out for the remainder of the season and even further. Otherwise, Slot has a clean bill of health and will rotate heavily from the midweek lineup. One dilemma is whether to restore Florian Wirtz after he was benched in the Merseyside derby, but the German playmaker remains central to Slot’s plans.
Liverpool have not always been convincing this term, yet they’ve built a five-point cushion at the top and carry a formidable record at Selhurst Park: nine wins and one draw in their last 10 league visits.
Glasner’s Discipline Meets Slot’s Dynamism – How Palace’s Structure Can Test Liverpool’s Attack?
This contest sets up as a classic clash of styles. Oliver Glasner has built a compact, disciplined unit at Selhurst Park, thriving on organisation, counter-attacking pace, and aerial dominance from set pieces. His three-man defence, anchored by Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix, has been crucial in stifling opponents.
Slot’s Liverpool, meanwhile, are far more expansive, often dominating possession and relying on late surges of pressure to get over the line. Mo Salah’s cutting edge, combined with Wirtz’s creativity and Isak’s debut hunger, gives the Reds plenty of attacking firepower. But against one of the league’s most disciplined defences, they may once again need patience to break through.
Possible Starting XIs of Crystal Palace and Liverpool
Crystal Palace: Dean Henderson – Marc Guehi, Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix – Daniel Munoz, Adam Wharton, Will Hughes, Tyrick Mitchell – Ismaila Sarr, Yeremy Pino – Jean-Philippe Mateta. (3-4-2-1)
Liverpool: Alisson – Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez – Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch – Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo – Alexander Isak. (4-2-3-1)
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool Betting Odds and Prediction
EveryGame lists Liverpool as the favorites, but Crystal Palace’s unbeaten streak and defensive solidity make this a tougher challenge than the odds suggest.
With 14 goal involvements (nine goals and five assists) in 16 top-flight games against Crystal Palace, Mohamed Salah remains a prime pick to score at Selhurst Park.
Ismaila Sarr, however, is the long shot – having tormented Liverpool with goals and assists (four and two, respectively) for both Watford and Palace, he could deliver again in front of the Selhurst crowd.
Liverpool’s perfect record is at serious risk here. While Palace’s organisation and attacking pace could see them snatch a goal, the Reds’ depth and Salah’s record in this fixture should ensure they avoid defeat. Expect a 2-2 draw or narrow Liverpool win, with goals at both ends.