The Palace players may be dreaming of imminent summer escape to Ayia Napa, but Sunday's visitors Derby still have it all to play for.
The Rams remain firmly in the hunt for a top-two finish, and Billy Davies' boys come to Selhurst boasting the best away form in the division.
Meanwhile, Palace are reduced to chasing the mighty Plymouth for the honour of scraping a final placing in the top half of the table.
Don't expect too many changes from the line-up that limped to a 2-0 defeat at Barnsley last weekend. Boss Peter Taylor has declared he will play his regular side in any matches that affect the promotion and relegation shake-ups, so there are unlikely to be any youngsters blooded.
However, the Eagles do get a boost with the return to fitness of Dougie Freedman and Paul Ifill - and Julian Speroni is likely to continue in goal after playing at Oakwell.
Derby will be missing suspended keeper Stephen Bywater, but can call on the capable Lee Camp as backup. Their defence is weakened, however, by the absence of Darren Moore and Michael Johnson.
Nevertheless, the league placings mean Sky Sports' TV audience will tune in anticipating a Derby win. However, Taylor reckons the match is there for the taking.
"I know the boys are determined to prove we are good enough against Derby," the boss said, hopefully.
"It is the first half of the season which really let us down, and that is why we have found ourselves short of where we wanted to be. Since the turn of the year, though, we have been in much better form," he continued, referring to a side that has won just four points from their last six matches.
