The dream lives on for Palace. After a top-drawer performance against Sunderland on Wednesday night, we’re now on the brink of the play-off places.
Only goal difference is denying us sixth spot at the moment, and a win at Gresty Road tomorrow will give us an excellent chance to establish ourselves above that dotted line for the first time since August.
Iain Dowie is forced into making one change tomorrow – with Michael Hughes suspended for the next two games.
Shaun Derry will come in for him, after making several appearances from the bench in recent games. Ben Watson will likely find himself a place on the bench, ready to come on should the central pairing of Derry and Riihilahti prove too defensive. Other than that, the Palace starting eleven will have a familiar look, with Mikele Leigertwood continuing in central defence after the collapse of the Mark Hudson transfer.
Crewe have a couple of injury headaches. Goalkeeper Clayton Ince and defender Anthony Tonkin will definitely miss out. However, Dave Brammer and David Vaughan should be able to return after knocks.
Probable Palace XI:
Vaesen
Butterfield Leigertwood Popovic Granville
Routledge Riihilahti Derry Gray
Johnson Shipperley