Crystal Palace fans in past years have welcomed international breaks as they provided rest bite from the rollercoaster that is being an Eagles supporter.
However, with their revolutionary season really starting to kick on, fans have been counting down the days until they get to watch their side back in Premier League action.
Vieira’s men seem to have clicked at a crucial part of the season and are on the back of consecutive 2-0 victories, one of which was away to Manchester City.
Palace have statistically had the most difficult start to the season in terms of league position of opponents, yet the South London club have only lost at Anfield and Stamford Bridge so far this season.
The remaining November fixtures, however, provide Palace with consecutive games against lower-positioned opposition, with fans seeing this as a chance to gain some momentum before the busy Christmas period.
Burnley (A) – 20th November
The first challenge awaits as Palace travel to Turf Moor to face a dogged Burnley side on Saturday afternoon.
Sean Dyche’s side finds themselves in the bottom three but have only lost one of their last five league games, earning a 1-1 draw away at Chelsea last time out.
Turf Moor is notoriously a hard place to go; Eagles fans will be hoping for a more positive result as Burnley have won the last three league meetings, with Palace scoreless in that run.
Vieira will almost have a completely fit squad to choose from as Eberechi Eze is likely to be on the bench after six months out with an achilles injury.
Fan favourite Eze will be eased back into the Palace setup with the Eagles having the luxury of squad depth, something the team has lacked over the years.
With how well the team has done so far this season, it will take time for Eze to find his way, so expect Vieira to make very few changes from the win against Wolves at Selhurst Park.
The combination of Benteke and Edouard has worked very well and provides Palace with different ways to play.
Against a side like Burnley, having multiple offensive plans is crucial, and with Zaha given free reign to the right of the big forwards, Palace will be confident of overcoming Dyche’s diligent defence.
A victory over the Clarets would be a third consecutive league win and would solidify the Eagles' top-half position.
Aston Villa (H) – 27TH November
The following Saturday, Palace will return to Selhurst Park, where they remain unbeaten so far this season.
The Eagles will welcome an Aston Villa side going through a transitional period of their own after hiring Premier League legend Steven Gerrard as their new manager.
Gerrard left Rangers to take over from Dean Smith, and this test against Palace will be the first away game for the new boss.
Villa have had a strange start to the season with a busy transfer window, and the consensus was that they had recruited very well to replace talisman Jack Grealish.
The squad was deepened with real quality, but so far, inconsistency has been the biggest issue.
After five losses in a row and a new manager at the helm, expect them to have a real fire in their bellies to turn their season around.
Home form has been key in recent fixtures between these sides, with the last six games going in favour of the host team.
Vieira’s exuberant squad will be a great matchup with the energy of the Villa side; however, it is still unknown how Gerrard will set them up, but after an unbeaten home start, Palace will look at this fixture as another winnable game.
Leeds United (A) – Tuesday 30th November
The fixture list begins to heat up after this as a midweek run of games closes out November.
Following the Saturday game against Villa, the South Londoners travel to Elland Road three days later for a tough away game under the lights against Leeds United.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side were a revelation last season, with eye-catching free-flowing football leading them to an impressive 9th place finish.
This season, so far, has been a different story as the side seem flat and currently find themselves in 15th, just three points above the drop zone.
The Yorkshire side have really struggled in front of goal and have only fashioned victories over newly promoted Watford and Norwich City.
Nonetheless, Elland Road is a tough place to go on any occasion, and with the added atmosphere of an evening game, Palace have a big task on their hands to get a positive result.
Vieira’s man-management could really start to come into play here as, with only three days’ rest after Villa, the Frenchman will likely have to tweak his squad to rest certain players.
The busy winter period can be a make or break for some teams, but as aforementioned, Palace’s depth is far healthier this year than it has been in a long time, making fans confident that whatever side is put out can win.
Last season both ties went to the home side, with Palace not winning at Elland Road since 2006 when both sides were in the Championship.
It will be a fascinating battle between two managers playing exciting and expansive football, with goals almost a guarantee.
Currently sat in 9th place after the most difficult start in the division, it is safe to say Eagles fans are enjoying life under Patrick Vieira.
The remaining weeks of November could get even better if recent performances can be replicated.
Confidence could not be higher, and they now go into three games against struggling opposition.
This isn’t to say they should be taken lightly, but after going to the Etihad three weeks ago and outplaying the Champions of England, fans will see every game as a chance to win.
That winning mentality is refreshing for many after the last few years of stagnant mediocrity.
Whatever the outcome of these games, Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace has brought a huge buzz back to South London, with every game met with high anticipation.