Sheffield Wednesday face Crystal Palace at Hillsborough knowing that they must continue their fine recent run if they are to stay clear of the relegation zone. Many of the teams in the bottom quarter of the Championship have found some excellent form since the turn of the year and at this stage around half of the sides in the division could conceivably find themselves in a relegation battle.
Dave Jones was unable to call on the services of centre-back Antony Gardner due to a thigh injury in the midweek draw at Birmingham and it is not clear whether the former Palace centre-back will be fit to face his old team. Martin Taylor deputised for him on Tuesday and could well keep his place.
Reda Johnson may come into contention for a return to the team at left-back having been sidelined with a foot injury over the past couple of weeks.
Jermaine Johnson will be hoping for a rare starting opportunity in Michail Antonio misses out. Antonio has been influential for the Owls going forward this season but has looked a little jaded of late and may be in need of a rest.
Palace have been dealt a blow in the build up to the game with the news that star winger Wilfried Zaha is unlikely to be fit in time to feature. The on-loan Manchester United prospect picked up a dead leg and was substituted towards the end of the midweek home win against Bristol City.
Defender Paddy McCarthy misses out due to a groin injury and Danny Gabbidon has a hamstring problem.
Wednesday have suffered just one defeat in their last eleven league matches but are still only two points above the relegation zone and have only won one of their last four league matches at Hillsborough.
Palace arrive at S6 having taken ten points from their last four matches but they have not won an away match since mid-November. They currently sit comfortably in the play-off places just 4 points behind second place.
The Eagles have only won 4 times in 26 away games against Wednesday but a 2-2 draw on their last visit in May 2010 was as painful as any defeat for the Owls as the draw saw Wednesday relegated to League One.
Palace beat Wednesday 2-1 at Selhurst Park in September to record their first league win of this season.