PALACE fans wouldn't normally cross off a home fixture against Bolton Wanderers as one of the biggest games of the season.
However, when one of your former managers is now in charge of the opposition, especially in the manner they left Selhurst Park, it does become a rather big deal.
No doubt about it, Dougie Freedman was a playing legend in Palace colours. And despite the the way in which he left the Eagles for Bolton on October 23 last year, he also built a solid foundation towards the position the club find themselves in now.
Yes, it was a poor start to the season as we all remember, but a signing here and there, plus a result against Sheffield Wednesday on September 1 triggered a run of form no Palace fan would have expected.
Who would have thought that just over three weeks after guiding Palace to their first ever victory at Bolton on September 29, that Freedman would be spending time at the Reebok Stadium on a full-time basis?
What sort of your reaction will he get once he steps out of the tunnel and walks towards the away dugout? That's up to you.
Make no mistake about it, there are likely to be a few who will look to give him a bad reception, while others will remember what he did for Palace as a player and manager.
In May 2010, the club nearly lost their Championship status, and alongside George Burley, Freedman began to rebuild the club before taking on the reins himself. And leading the club to the semi-finals of the League Cup last season was an incredible achievement.
To heckle someone who gave more than ten years playing service, made more than 350 appearances and scored more than 100 goals for the club would be wrong, and as current boss Ian Holloway has said in his exclusive column this week, he would not be impressed with the home faithful if that were to happen.
On the playing field, it looks as though Wilfried Zaha will face a late fitness test after hurting his ankle on Tuesday night at Stoke City, while youngster Hiram Boateng may be given a place on the bench after an impressive performance at the Britannia Stadium.
Julian Speroni, Jonathan Parr, Dean Moxey, Andre Moritz and Glenn Murray are all expected to return to the starting line-up, although Jonathan Williams will be pressing for a start.
However, new loan signing Jacob Butterfield is also set to play some part, so Holloway must decide whether to start him on the bench or fit him in from the first minute.
When you look at Bolton's squad on paper, it is rather impressive. And since Freedman's arrival, they have been making gradual progress up the league table, plus an impressive 2-0 win at Sunderland in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
Marvin Sordell was the hero at the Stadium of Light and will be hoping to start, having had to wait for his chance from the bench in recent months, while long-term injury victim Stuart Holden could continue his comeback with a starting place in midfield.
The middle of the park could be a key battle with Mile Jedinak likely to come up against the tough duo of Jay Spearing and Keith Andrews, while Chris Eagles can be a major threat to any side on his day on the right or left flank, so Parr and Moxey will need to be on their toes come 3pm.
It's also worth noting that next weekend, it looks like Palace will have no game to play as scheduled opponents Huddersfield Town are still in the FA Cup and take on Leicester City, so a win against Bolton tomorrow will be a good way to sign off before the south London derby against Charlton Athletic on February 2.
