Can we really do it? Just four months ago, the Eagles were mired in one of the relegation places – but we’re now looking at the very real possibility of a play-off spot.
Just two hurdles remain, the first of which is Saturday’s home match against Walsall. The Saddlers’ lowly league position may have lulled a few Palace fans into expecting an easy win, but of course anyone who knows the ways of the Eagles knows things are never really that easy.
Also, Walsall could be relegated should they lose at Selhurst Park, so we can be sure Paul Merson’s team will be throwing everything at us come 3 p.m.
Fortunately, Iain Dowie is able to choose the same team that won up at Crewe last week. Michael Hughes is still out, but this match sees him complete his two-match suspension in time to be back for the Coventry game next week. Shaun Derry will continue to deputise. Meanwhile, Andy Johnson will be looking to notch a historic goal. A strike in this match will see him equal Ian Wright’s post-war record of 27 league goals in a season.
Probable Palace XI:
Vaesen
Butterfield Leigertwood Popovic Granville
Routledge Riihilahti Derry Gray
Johnson Shipperley