Neither team has tasted defeat in the league this season, but Palace’s tendency to settle for draws has left them four places and six points behind the reigning champions in the early standings.
The Eagles come into this game boasting the longest active unbeaten run in the Premier League, stretching to 11 matches. A win or draw this weekend would make it 12, a milestone they have only reached once before, under Steve Coppell back in 1990. Oliver Glasner’s men achieved that 11th game without defeat by beating West Ham 2-1 on September 20, with goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell sealing the points despite a Jarrod Bowen equaliser.
That strike from Bowen was only the second goal Palace have conceded in the league all season, giving them the joint-best defensive record alongside Arsenal. It is their strongest start in years, with early echoes of the 1990-91 campaign, when they began the season unbeaten in 10 and eventually finished a club-record third.
While Champions League football is still an ambitious dream, Palace will soon be testing themselves in Europe, with a Conference League opener against Dynamo Kiev just around the corner. Before that, however, they face the reigning champions in the league, followed by another showdown with Liverpool in the EFL Cup fourth round.
The Reds booked their place in that tie with a 2-1 win over Southampton in midweek, though it took a late Hugo Ekitike strike to seal the result. The forward’s goal was quickly overshadowed by a needless second yellow card for removing his shirt in celebration, but the victory still extended Liverpool’s winning run in all competitions to seven. That streak includes a 2-1 derby win over Everton that kept their perfect league start intact.
While Liverpool have not been blowing teams away, they already sit five points clear at the top of the table. Another victory would see them start a Premier League campaign with six straight wins for only the fifth time. History is on their side too, as they have won nine of their last 10 league visits to Selhurst Park. Still, Palace will remember August’s Community Shield, when they outlasted the Reds on penalties to lift the trophy.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Crystal Palace had a slight scare last weekend when Yeremy Pino was forced off at half time with a knee issue, but the winger has trained this week and is expected to be available. Ismaila Sarr, who has been sidelined since the win over Aston Villa with a thigh problem, is also nearing a return, which could put Daichi Kamada’s place in the starting XI under threat.Even so, the Eagles remain without several key players. Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad are both recovering from knee injuries, Walter Benitez is out with a finger problem, Odsonne Edouard is sidelined by an Achilles issue, and Caleb Kporha is missing with a back injury.
For Liverpool, Hugo Ekitike will miss out through suspension after his costly dismissal in the EFL Cup, which should open the door for Alexander Isak to make his full Premier League debut. That red card was not the only setback against Southampton, as highly rated teenager Giovanni Leoni suffered a serious ACL injury that could rule him out for the rest of the season.
Otherwise, Arne Slot has no fresh concerns and is expected to rotate heavily from the midweek lineup, with as many as 10 changes likely. The main selection question revolves around Florian Wirtz, who was benched for the Merseyside derby and is pushing to return to the starting XI.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:Henderson; Guehi, Richards, Lacroix; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
EXPERT PREDICTION
Crystal Palace 2-2 Liverpool
Liverpool’s knack for scoring late goals appeared to dry up in the Merseyside derby, but it resurfaced in midweek with another strike beyond the 80th minute. Arne Slot’s side may not be able to rely on such heroics at Selhurst Park, though.
Oliver Glasner has built a disciplined and resilient Crystal Palace team, one of the hardest to break down in the league this season. Having already frustrated Liverpool in the Community Shield, the Eagles look well equipped to claim at least a point here and bring the champions’ perfect Premier League start to an end.
