Alan Pardew will be hoping to continue his 100% start as Crystal Palace manager when they host out-of-sorts Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Eagles have won all four of their matches since Pardew's appointment, with arguably the most impressive of those victories coming in the FA Cup last weekend.
Palace scored past the best defence in the country three times in the first half as they twice came from behind to knock high-flying Southampton out in the fourth round.
While securing survival remains the priority for the Londoners, who are four points clear of the relegation zone, a tilt at cup glory may not be too unrealistic considering the momentum that they have and the teams that have already been eliminated.
Everton are level on points with Palace in the table, but will be deeply disappointed with their 12th-place standing after being expected to challenge for Champions League qualification prior to the start of the season.
Roberto Martinez's side have been stretched by several injuries and the demands of European football, and have struggled to consistently get the best out of influential attacking pair Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku.
Even more pressure sits on their shoulders now that Samuel Eto'o has departed for Sampdoria, and Martinez has insisted that they do not need to bring in a replacement for the three-time Champions League winner.
The Spaniard feels that key players coming back from injury will give the Toffees the same shot in the arm that a new signing would, and James McCarthy, Tim Howard, Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman are all nearing returns.
Belgian forward Kevin Mirallas is also in contention for the trip to Selhurst Park, but whether he is considered to start after his penalty gaffe in the 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion a fortnight ago remains to be seen.
While Martinez is operating a no-buy policy this month, Pardew has been busy adding to his squad and both Jordon Mutch, who joined in a £4.75m deal from Queens Park Rangers, and free transfer Shola Ameobi are available to make their debuts.
Former Newcastle United favourite Ameobi is unlikely to get much of a look-in initially, considering that Marouane Chamakh bagged a brace on his return last weekend and Dwight Gayle has four in his last three games.
Arsenal loanee Yaya Sanogo has also been among the goals, but Pardew's midfield options are more limited, with Mile Jedinak and Yannick Bolasie still on international duty, so Mutch should at least be on the bench.
Julian Speroni and Jason Puncheon are likely to be recalled at the expense of Wayne Hennessey and Fraizer Campbell, who scored in Palace's 3-2 win at Goodison Park in September, after being rested for cup duty.
Palace:
Form in Premier League: LLDDWW
Form in all competitions: DDWWWW
Possible starting lineup: Speroni; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Kelly; Zaha, McArthur, Ledley; Puncheon; Chamakh, Gayle
Everton:
Form in Premier League: LLLLDD
Form in all competitions: LLDDDD
Possible starting lineup: Robles; Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Baines; McCarthy, Barry; Naismith, Barkley, McGeady; Lukaku
Sports Mole says: 2-2
Joe Fish
