Overview
This weekend's game at Selhurst Park promises to be dramatic, with the only two unbeaten sides in the Premier League facing each other. either of them will lose their unbeaten streak, unless both agree to share points.
Liverpool's unbeaten streak did not surprise many people, but Palace's maintenance of this streak is another story. Oliver Glasner's side have extended their unbeaten run to 17 games in all competitions, and if they get a point against The Kop, they will equal the record that has existed since 1969.
Crystal Palace have proven that they are not afraid of Liverpool. From the English Super Cup victory on penalties last month, to a 1-1 draw at Anfield in the final round of last season. Even the most recent defeat at Selhurst Park was due to a minimal gap, when Diogo Jota scored early for The Kop.
However, the statistics are leaning towards Liverpool. Palace have won just one of their last 16 Premier League meetings, scoring just six goals in their previous 12 games.
Interestingly, from a data perspective, things are different. According to Opta's simulation, with an expected goals conceded (xG), Palace should have been the Premier League leader in 2025-2026, not Liverpool. This shows that the Eagles have a very solid foundation and enter this encounter with rare confidence.
However, the previous home match showed why they could not lead, when Palace, despite having 1.8 xG, were still helpless in scoring against Sunderland. They were forced to accept 1 point when they should have deserved all 3 points.
In contrast, Liverpool continued to win in the final minutes of matches that seemed difficult to escape the draw. Although that is certainly not a sustainable scenario, it is worth noting that, like Palace, The Kop have never been behind in any match in all competitions this season. If Arne Slot can improve his ability to control the game after taking the lead, Liverpool will find it difficult to stop him.
The advantage of leading the goal will also become easier with Mohamed Salah in the Liverpool squad. The Egyptian has scored or assisted Liverpool in their last three Premier League and Champions League games.
Since the start of the 2024-2025 season, Salah has had a hand in 51 Premier League goals (31 goals, 20 assists), 20 more than any other player. This achievement includes an equalizer against Palace in the most recent encounter between the two teams in the tournament.
Slot has more reason to put his faith in Salah when Hugo Ekitike received a silly red card in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton in midweek. That match also saw young centre-back Giovanni Leoni suffer a serious injury and have to miss a long time, although most of the other pillars are still ready to play. New signing Alexander Isak is likely to start from the start, after his debut against Southampton.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are facing a squad crisis. Glasner is unlikely to feature Walter Benitez, Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad, while Odsonne Edouard, Caleb Kporha, Yeremy Pino and Ismaila Sarr are still doubtful.
The bright spot for Palace is the return of Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards. The trio have helped the team keep a clean sheet in 11/19 Premier League games starting together.
Head-to-head record
This match is quite special as both teams often play more impressively away than in front of their home crowd.
Crystal Palace's last 4 wins against Liverpool in the Premier League have all taken place at Anfield. Meanwhile, at Selhurst Park, they have only had one turning around in the past 20 years - a 3-1 win in December 2014.
That shows Liverpool are almost invincible every time they travel south of London. The Kop have won 9 and drawn 1 of their last 10 visits to Palace in the tournament. This is also their longest away unbeaten run against any Premier League opponent.
Score prediction: Crystal Palace 2-3 Liverpool
The match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool takes place at 9:00 p.m. on September 17 (Vietnam time).
