Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Prediction: Can Eagles Dominate Reds Again?
Updated April 24, 2026
Updated April 24, 2026
Liverpool host Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday needing another win to stay ahead in the race for the Champions League, while Glasner's side arrive off the back of a Conference League semi-final qualification and four unbeaten in the league. The matchup has a clear directional read on one market. It's just not the spread.
Prediction: Liverpool win
Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals (-160)
Projected Score: Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace
Quick take: Two leaky defenses, a high-stakes home side, and Palace's away record screaming goals. The total is where the value lives.
Match | Liverpool vs Crystal Palace |
|---|---|
Date | April 25 |
Venue | Anfield |
xG Comparison | 9.2 vs 6.1 (Last 5) |
Best Bet | Over 2.5 Goals (-160) |
The moneyline isn't interesting. Liverpool are the right side at -215 and the market knows it. The spread is juiced to -180 on Palace +1.5, which prices out any real value. Where this game sets up well is the total, and the underlying numbers make a strong case for it.
Liverpool's 6.8 xGA over their last five matches is the headline defensive number. It's elevated for a side playing at Anfield, and a product of aggressive fullback positioning that leaves them exposed in transition, combined with some shaky center back play from the usually reliable Van Dijk and Konate.
Their 9.2 total xG in that same stretch includes a meaningful chunk from penalties and set pieces, but even discounting those, the open-play output at 7.4 npxG tells you Slot's side are generating chances at a high rate. Both halves of that equation point toward goals.
Palace aren't coming here to park the bus. Glasner's side have pressed aggressively all season, operating at a PPDA of 10.4, and their away fixtures this year have averaged 3.25 total goals with both teams scoring in every one. They've been direct and vertical in recent weeks, and will target the space Liverpool's fullbacks vacate.
Liverpool's xGA trend suggests that approach has worked against similar setups, and Ismaila Sarr, who has an outstanding record against the Reds is poised to benefit. The 2-1 projected scoreline isn't a conservative call. It's the natural consequence of two teams with both real attacking intent and defensive questions.
Liverpool are without Alisson, sidelined until early May with a hamstring injury. Mamardashvili was also stretchered off in the Everton match, so Slot faces a potential goalkeeping concern going into the weekend. Freddie Woodman deputized effectively against Everton, and will likely start on Saturday.
Joe Gomez is also a doubt after picking up an injury against PSG, leaving the home side short-handed at the back once again. Liverpool's continued defensive rotation due to injury has contributed directly to the rising xGA figures and will likely do so again here.
Liverpool also have injury concerns in their front line. Hugo Ekitike will miss the remainder of the season with a ruptured achilles, while Alexander Isak continues to build-up towards full fitness. In Ekitike's absence, Cody Gakpo will likely complete the front line alongside Isak and Salah.
For Palace, Lacroix started and completed 90 minutes against West Ham on Monday, so his earlier knee scare from Florence can be set aside. Adam Wharton missed the West Ham game on Monday with an adductor injury, but Oliver Glasner confirmed that he would return to the Palace squad, and likely to the XI as well, in his Friday press conference.
Liverpool
4-2-3-1 4th · 68 pts
vs
Premier League · Apr 25
Crystal Palace
3-4-3 7th · 51 pts
Liverpool
9
Isak
18
Gakpo
10
Wirtz
11
Salah
8
Szoboszlai
38
Gravenberch
6
Kerkez
5
Konate
4
Van Dijk
30
Frimpong
33
Woodman
Crystal Palace
23
Sarr
9
Mateta
21
Pino
3
Mitchell
34
Wharton
7
Kamada
2
Munoz
12
Richards
5
Lacroix
14
Canvot
1
Henderson
Liverpool
Alisson hamstring
Mamardashvili knee
Ekitike Achilles (season)
Bradley knee (season)
Gomez injury
Endo ankle (season)
Leoni knee (season)
Crystal Palace
Nketiah injury
Guessand injury
Clyne illness (doubt)
Wharton confirmed fit · Woodman GK debut · Predicted XIs ATS.io
Category | Model Output | Market Odds | Edge (%) |
Projected Score | Liverpool 2.15 - 1.10 Palace | N/A | -- |
Total Goals | 3.25 Over/Under | 2.5 Line | +12.4% |
Win Probability | Liverpool 64% | -215 (68%) | -4.0% (No Value) |
BTTS Yes | 61% Probability | -145 (59%) | +2.0% |
The spread play was cooked by the time it hit the market. Palace +1.5 at -180 isn't a fade of the public, it's paying a premium to bet on a line the market already believes in. The total is the cleaner read. Liverpool's attacking output and defensive exposure both point upward, Palace's away numbers are consistently high-scoring, and the projected 2-1 aligns naturally with over 2.5.
I'd rather take a goal total backed by two sets of underlying numbers than a spread that's been priced shut, and make a secondary play on Ismaila Sarr as Anytime Goalscorer given Liverpool's lack of depth at full back and his outstanding record of 7 in his last 9 against the Reds.
Who is the favorite to win?
Liverpool are the heavy home favorites at -215. Crystal Palace are +500 to win outright.
What is the best bet for Liverpool vs Crystal Palace?
Over 2.5 goals (-160). Both sides have genuine defensive vulnerabilities, Palace's away games this season average 3.25 total goals with BTTS in every one, and 69% of all-time Liverpool-Palace meetings have gone over 2.5.
Will both teams score?
Likely. Palace have scored in every away game this season, Liverpool's xGA over their last five matches is elevated at 6.8, and they'll be without their first and second choice goalkeepers.
What is the projected score?
Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace.
Who is the best player prop?
Ismaila Sarr anytime scorer (+330). Seven goals in nine career appearances against Liverpool, including a brace at Anfield earlier this season.
Will Salah score?
He's priced at +185 anytime scorer and Palace's defensive shape consistently gives up chances from the right half-space where Salah operates. Reasonable single-game prop at that price.
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