Neil Warnock's sides are renowned slow starters and, just as more pessimistic Palace fans began talk of survival being the aim, their season seems to have taken off. Since the woeful defeat by Plymouth led skipper Shaun Derry to instigate a dressing-room heart-to-heart that initiated much-improved performances, even outcast Shefki Kuqi has returned to the side and capped victory at Nottingham Forest with the best goal he's scored for Palace, 18 months after his last strike. Barnsley, in contrast, are struggling and if Palace are to rise from the congested, elongated mid-table this is the type of game that has to be won. Having hit their stride two months late (or is it early?), Palace should reign. Laurie Dahl
