The Bulls face Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night at Selhurst Park.
It is the first competitive meeting of the two sides in 22 seasons when the sides met in what was League One and shared a draw at Edgar Street in January 1976. The reverse fixture was also a draw as the Bulls beat the Eagles to promotion that season, with the Selhurst Park outfit's only win over the Bulls coming in the only previous cup match between the sides 45 years ago.
The Eagles opened their season with a goalless draw at home to a much depleted Watford side. Neil Warnock's arrival at the club mid season last term revived their fortunes to the extent that they made the play-offs after spending the opening months in the relegation spots. They spent £1million on midfielder Nick Carle from Bristol City in the summer, but lost wonderkid John Bostock for an 'insulting' fee decided by a tribunal. One player in their side has played for the Bulls - Shaun Derry played a friendly match in Bulls colours to keep his fitness in the summer of 2002 while he sought a new club.
The Bulls surprised a few at Leyton Orient by deploying the 4-5-1 formation only seen at the final pre-season game. Graham Turner's major decision for Tuesday night will be whether to continue with the unfamiliar in the hope of long term success, or return to the regular 4-4-2 that has reaped two promotions.
Crystal Palace vs Hereford United, Selhurst Park, Tuesday 12th August, 8.00pm.