Palace will be in action this weekend when they travel to the Walkers Stadium to face Leicester City in the FA Cup Third Round and the Eagles' left back Clint Hill believes it will be a tough test:
"Their [Leicester City] league form has been great so far and they are top of the league. They have won alot of games this season, so it is going to be tough. The last time we played them they were the better team in the first half from what I can remember so it is definitely going to be a difficult game but one that we are up for."
The Foxes, currently topping the League One table, have earned themselves plaudits for their free-flowing football.
Palace, who have already faced teams this season intent on playing their own styles of attacking football, have also been applauded for the way they have shepherded them into safe areas of the pitch, something that Hill believes will help come this Saturday:
"I think in every game we set out to do that. We have to impose ourselves on them first because we are the away team and it is a tough away ground to go to. I think we know what we need to do and as long as we are all there and are all 100% right mentally and looking forward to it then we will make it as difficult as possible for them to play the football they want to."
The experienced full back, who missed the weekend's defeat to Bristol City through suspension, also believes that the FA Cup is something that the Palace dressing room is fully geared towards, revealing that the potential to draw a big team in the next round is enough to motivate any player :
"I don't think you can take the FA Cup lightly in any way. It is one of Enlish football's greatest traditions and if you get through this stage then there is the potential to play one of the top teams in the Premier League, which any footballer in the Championship and down would love to do. So we will be going into it fully committed and then get a nice draw for the next round.
"[The Walkers Stadium] It is a great stadium to be fair. My memories last being there was they scored in the last minute to end our 15 game unbeaten run so we will be looking to avenge that definitely. It will be a great tie and a decent atmosphere so hopefully we can get the right result."
As for league responsibilities, Hill has been impressed by Palace's recent run of form and believes that a run similar to that ahead of the Bristol City defeat will only help towards an end of season Play Off push:
If you look at the league it is ridiculous. It is such a tight league that if anyone goes on a four game unbeaten run then they will be in the top five. So, as long as we are in touch by the last ten games of the season then we have got a great chance. As long we keep doing what we are doing then we will not be too far away.
Commenting on his own form at the moment that, aside from his suspension against Bristol City, has seen him miss only one game this season (against Nottingham Forest), he revealed he is enjoying his football at the moment:
I am playing a lot of games which is a bonus for me. But everyone enjoys it when you are winning so as long as we are getting the right results then everyone will enjoy their football. But I have got no complaints, I am enjoying my time here and hopefully that can continue.
Commentary for this Saturday's game will be broadcast live on Palace World. If you are not already a member of Palace World, you can take advantage of the Half Season Ticket Offer currently available that you can purchase for just £19.99.
