Such is the champions' strength in depth that Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho does not have an inexperienced and vulnerable team to put out, even if he wanted to.
Sunderland, beaten by Newcastle 3-2 in Sunday's northeast derby, know they will face a second-string Arsenal side.
However, survival is coach Mick McCarthy's main aim this season and preparations for Saturday's game against fellow strugglers Portsmouth is likely to take precedence over Cup concerns.
Palace are hoping for promotion at the end of the season and their game against Liverpool, the team they beat 1-0 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League six months ago, will be a useful test.
The Cup final will be played in Cardiff on Feb. 26, the last major English final scheduled for the Millennium Stadium before the new Wembley is completed.
Brazilians top Euro player list
Players from Brazil and Italian champions Juventus top the list of 50 players in the race for the 2005 European footballer of the year award.
Ten Brazilian players make the list, while Juventus has nine players named, two ahead of Chelsea, while Real Madrid has six.
The Brazilians include Adriano (Inter Milan), Cris (Lyon), Dida (AC Milan), Emerson (Juventus), Juninho (Lyon), Kaka (AC Milan), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Barcelona) and Ronaldo (Real Madrid).
The award for European footballer of the year -- won last year by AC Milan's Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko who's again nominated this year -- will be made on Friday.
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