JUST when things could not get any sweeter in SE25, Palace are set for a daunting trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Sunday.
Forget last Saturday's defeat at Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup, Tuesday's 1-0 win over Hull City was massive and sent out a message to the Eagles' relegation rivals.
They certainly look a formidable unit right now and will definitely head to north London in good spirits on 23 points.
The Gunners have been in great form, rising to the top of the table in what looks like a three-horse race for the Premier League title – but Palace have different aims and will be doing all they can to pick up at least a point.
Tony Pulis is not likely to go there with any new injury worries either and looks set to name the same starting XI which has gelled superbly over the past month or so.
The fact that the match is live on television will be a great chance to show the country what Palace are about right now. The majority will expect a home banker, but if the Eagles play like they did at Chelsea and Manchester City, there could be a huge shock in store for the neutrals.
And Yannick Bolasie wants to take advantage of playing inside a 60,000-seater stadium on a renowned playing surface too.
"We go there in confidence but everyone knows it's going to be tough," said the winger.
"We're all looking forward to it, and you don't really get to play at the Emirates all the time so we'll make the most of it. Anything we get there is a bonus."
Club captain Paddy McCarthy, who looks set to travel and be named on the bench again, backed up that claim and insisted Palace will be giving it a "right good go".
"The lads went to Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, and we've put on a great show," he said.
"Although we didn't get the results I think the lads have taken a lot of confidence from the performances at some of those places.
"The lads will give it a right good bash on Sunday. It's a challenge and something the lads worked really hard for last year, to get in this division and to play in these sort of games.
"We'll go there and we'll give a right good go."
Julian Speroni will be tested no doubt, and is likely to have the likes of Adrian Mariappa, Danny Gabbidon, Damien Delaney and Dean Moxey in front of him.
Jonathan Parr may have recovered by then and could get the nod for a return instead of the latter.
In midfield, Mile Jedinak and Joel Ward will need to keep an eye on Santi Cazorla and even Mesut Ozil, depending on where the German is deployed by Arsene Wenger.
Marouane Chamakh looks set to face his former club, and it could be on his own too if Pulis decides to play five in midfield.
Of course, he could be supported by Adlene Guedioura perhaps, who sat out of Tuesday's 1-0 win, but then Cameron Jerome did not do much wrong so it is likely a 4-4-2 formation will continue.
Arsenal will give a fitness test to England international Jack Wilshere, who sat out of Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Southampton.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may get a start after his long-term injury, as could Tomas Rosicky, Lukas Podolski and Kieran Gibbs.
Aaron Ramsey is still a doubt after suffering a setback from a thigh problem, and Mathieu Flamini was red-carded on Tuesday for the second time this season and will definitely miss out on Sunday.
Nicklas Bendtner, who was close to joining Palace on the last transfer deadline day, is also back from injury and is set to be on the bench.
Meanwhile, Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szszcesny has warned Palace and their opponents coming up that the Gunners will show what they are capable of.
"It is very tight, but it doesn't matter who is top of the league now," he said. "We have been there for quite a while but what matters is who finishes top in mid-May.
