Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 8/9
Bookmaker: Betfair
The 2025/26 Premier League’s last two unbeaten sides will put their records to the test on Saturday, as Crystal Palace and Liverpool – who met in August’s Community Shield – face off once again at Selhurst Park.
Neither team has yet endured defeat in the top flight this season, but Palace’s habit of turning potential victories into stalemates has left them trailing six points and four places behind the reigning champions in the early standings.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace enter Saturday’s clash protecting the longest unbeaten sequence in the Premier League, eyeing a 12th successive match without defeat. Only once before have the Eagles achieved such a run, under Steve Coppell in 1990.
Oliver Glasner’s men extended their streak to 11 games on September 20, edging West Ham United 2-1 away thanks to goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell, either side of Jarrod Bowen’s equalizer. That strike was only the second league goal Palace have conceded this season, giving them the joint-best defensive record alongside Arsenal.
The early signs are promising for the FA Cup holders, who last avoided defeat in their opening five top-flight matches back in 1990-91, a campaign that ended with a third-place finish – still their best ever in English football. While Champions League qualification remains an ambitious dream, Palace are on the cusp of a historic first European league-phase match, with Dynamo Kiev awaiting in the Conference League next week.
Team News
Yeremy Pino limped off with a knee concern last weekend but has trained this week and should be available, while Ismaila Sarr is also pushing to return from a thigh injury.
However, Glasner must again cope without Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Walter Benitez, Odsonne Edouard and Caleb Kporha, who remain sidelined.
Liverpool
Liverpool also secured cup progress in midweek, surviving a scare against Southampton to edge a 2-1 EFL Cup win at Anfield. Hugo Ekitike netted the late winner but tarnished his moment with a needless second yellow card for his celebration, ruling him out of the Selhurst Park trip.
Nevertheless, the Frenchman’s strike kept Arne Slot’s team rolling, extending their winning streak to seven matches in all competitions. That included a 2-1 Merseyside derby victory over Everton, ensuring their flawless league start continues. Though not all wins have been convincing, the Reds already enjoy a five-point cushion at the Premier League summit, and victory on Saturday would mark just the fifth time they’ve opened a campaign with six straight top-flight wins.
Liverpool also boast a formidable record at Selhurst Park, unbeaten in 10 visits with nine wins, but Glasner’s men bested them in the Community Shield on penalties in August.
Team News
Ekitike serves his suspension, opening the door for Alexander Isak to make his first Premier League start for Liverpool.
Teenage defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a serious ACL injury in midweek and faces a lengthy layoff, but Slot has no other absences. He is expected to recall most of his regular starters, though Florian Wirtz’s role remains uncertain after he was benched in the derby.
Conclusion
Neither side will have an easy day at Selhurst Park, and Crystal Palace have been known to cause problems for Liverpool. However, the Eagles’ success against the Reds in the Community Shield is likely to serve as added motivation for Slot’s team, whose overall quality should be enough for them to continue their 100% record since the start of the season.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 8/9
Bookmaker: Betfair
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