While it may not spell survival or relegation for either side when the final whistle blows at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon, we could be a lot closer to having a convincing case for the Premier League futures of either Middlesbrough or Crystal Palace.
Boro's paltry single away win this season leaves little in the way of expectation, but there is real hope that a vital victory could fire the side into a pocket of breathing space above the league's basement boys.
In Crystal Palace, a team that have only mustered nine points from the last available 57, there is a distinct opportunity for Aitor Karanka's men to force the issue.