Football | Crystal Palace looking for more Wembley success

Community Shield preview

Crystal Palace face Liverpool in the traditional curtain raiser to the football season

Author | Terry J

Palace fans at Wembley for the 2025 FA Cup final 

Palace’s remarkable run at Wembley continued in May when they stunned Manchester City in the FA Cup final, ending a 120-year wait for their first major trophy.

It was their fourth victory in six fixtures at the national stadium, and although the last four Community Shield debutants have all been beaten, history offers encouragement. Seven of the last nine winners have entered the fixture as FA Cup holders.

Optimism building again for Glasner’s side

Optimism surrounds the season ahead, with many tipping Oliver Glasner’s side to better last year’s 12th-place finish. European football is expected to be part of the schedule, though which competition they will contest remains uncertain. 

Should their appeal against demotion to the Conference League succeed, Palace will enter the Europa League league phase. If not, Norwegian side Fredrikstad are likely to await in a two-legged qualifier later this month.

As they look to build on last season's success, they've had a somewhat busy summer, adding a few new recruits. They have signed Croatian wingback Borna Sosa (from Ajax) and Argentinian goalkeeper Walter Benítez on a free transfer from PSV Eindhoven. 

READ MORE | Crystal Palace news and stories from London Super News

They concluded their pre-season with a double-header in Germany against Augsburg, where the first team claimed a 3-1 win while the reserve side lost 1-0. 

Back at Wembley tomorrow Palace fans youtube.com/shorts/lXQQ8...

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A new occasion for Palace

This will be Palace’s first appearance in the Community Shield. Liverpool, by contrast, are aiming to lift the trophy for a 17th time, five of those being shared, in what will be their 25th outing in the competition.

A closer look at Palace’s opposition 

Liverpool may have fallen short in the EFL Cup final at Wembley in March, but they swept to the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s debut campaign. History offers encouragement for this fixture, as they have never suffered two defeats at the national stadium in the same calendar year, though they have claimed the Community Shield only once since 2006.

The champions completed their pre-season with a double-header against Athletic Bilbao on Monday.