English Football League / Andrew French / 27 January 2008 /

Andrew French previews Crystal Palace's visit to the Walkers Stadium to meet Championship strugglers Leicester in Sky's live Monday night match

When Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan appointed Neil Warnock as manager earlier in the season, it would have been seen in the eyes of many as a match made in heaven.

After all, neither of them would fare particularly well in a popularity contest, to put it politely. But I doubt very much either cares too much, seeing as the pair have both had very successful careers - and especially as their coming together seems to have inspired a Palace revival that could well take the club back to the Premiership.

The South London outfit had made a poor start to the season and Jordan acted in October, removing Peter Taylor and bringing in Warnock, who only last season failed narrowly to keep Sheffield United in the top flight.

Say what you like about Warnock (after all, he's never afraid to say exactly what he thinks of you), but the outspoken boss has regularly achieved results and he has quickly turned what could have been a battle against the drop into a push for promotion.

Only two defeats in 18 league games, both of those before the end of October, and Palace are now in the top six on the heels of the leaders. They've taken 19 of the last 21 points on offer and have beaten the likes of Bristol City and Wolves comfortably in the process.

To Warnock's immense credit, he has only recently been able to add to the squad he inherited. Until the January transfer window opened, he had to shuffle what he had and was not afraid to give youth its chance - John Bostock given his chance before his 16th birthday for example.

Palace have now added Clint Hill, Neil Danns, Shaun Derry and John Halls to their ranks, and look set to be involved when promotion matters are decided come May.

Oh how tonight's hosts for Sky's live game, Leicester City, would love to be in the same position.

Their fans must have hoped they were living out some freakish nightmare as managers came and went like temporary typists earlier in the season. First Martin Allen, then Gary Megson - barely staying long enough for the kit man to have stitched their initials onto their tracksuits.

At the end of such a turbulent period, the next manager had to be someone who had the personality and strength of character to take all that had gone before, live with it and move on.

They don't come much more equipped in the charisma stakes than Ian Holloway. The former Bristol Rovers and QPR boss has a quote for every occasion - more importantly, he is well versed in turning football's sow's ears into silk purses.

It hasn't been plain sailing since he arrived in late November, but you get the impression that, by now, those at the Walkers Stadium will know what is expected of them - and what will happen if they don't deliver.

Like Warnock, Holloway has had to wait until January to freshen his squad up, but he has brought in the likes of well-travelled striker Barry Hayles, target man Steve Howard and former Derby captain Matt Oakley.

Palace, available to back at [2.8], are certainly on a roll, but the Foxes [2.9] must know that if they are not to become embroiled in a relegation dogfight for the rest of the season, they must make the most of their home games.

Indeed, they have recently beaten Ipswich at the Walkers Stadium, and were only denied three points against Charlton by an injury-time equaliser.

With Holloway having brought in new strikers, he's not likely to then sit tight and try to grind out results - he'll want his boys flying out of the blocks. So, I'd suggest backing Leicester/Leicester in the half-time/full-time market at [5.3].

I'm also keen on backing Over 2.5 goals at [2.34], given that neither manager is prone to thinking one is enough.

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