Well, it’s yet another must-win game for the Palace tonight – with three points enough to put us joint-sixth.
The Eagles are now in the position of knowing that maximum points from our last four matches will guarantee a play-off place.
Tonight’s home match against the Black Cats is arguably the toughest of the quartet – with Mick McCarthy’s side smarting from two successive defeats.
Iain Dowie looks to have been thwarted in his attempts to sign Mark Hudson on a permanent deal – so the centre-back spot alongside Tony Popovic is up for grabs. Mikele Leigertwood is likely to come in, although Kit Symons could be looked to should Dowie choose to opt for experience.
Across the rest of the park, the team will look the same as it did on Saturday. Dougie Freedman’s goal against Wigan will have fired his confidence, but Dowie is sure to prefer the strength of Shipperley up front once again.
Sunderland have a couple of injury niggles. George McCartney has been in and out of the side through injury, and picked up another knock in their home defeat against West Brom. Stephen Wright and Paul Thirlwell will also miss out, though Jason McAteer returns from suspension.
Butterfield Leigertwood Popovic Granville
Routledge Riihilahti Hughes Gray
Johnson Shipperley