Academy Awards 2014 Preview: Lupita Nyong'o and Jennifer Lawrence battle ...

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The battle between those two will overshadow the chances of first-time nominee Sally Hawkins, America's Sweetheart Julia Roberts and stage vet June Squibb.

Francois Duhamel/Fox Searchlight

The Best Supporting Actress category is often where the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences crowns new talent - or bows before performers who've earned their moment.

Eva Marie Saint for 'On the Waterfront,' Goldie Hawn for 'Cactus Flower,' Meryl Streep for 'Kramer Vs. Kramer,' Mary Steenburgen for 'Melvin and Howard,' Dianne Wiest for 'Hannah & Her Sisters,' Marisa Tomei for 'My Cousin Vinny,' Angelina Jolie for 'Girl, Interrupted' - these are some of the fresh faces that have won in what is often the first award of the Oscar ceremony.

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Sunday night could bring some surprises. While Jennifer Lawrence looked strong in December when 'American Hustle' opened, the 23-year-old superstar wild child who won Best Actress last year for 'Silver Linings Playbook' now seems to be trailing 30-year-old Lupita Nyong'o, who gives a harrowing, unforgettable turn in '12 Years a Slave.'

The battle between those two will overshadow the chances of first-time nominee Sally Hawkins ('Blue Jasmine') and Julia Roberts, nominated for her turn in 'August: Osage County' and who in this category is a sort-of acting den mother. However, Hawkins and Roberts, while solid in their films, can't compete with Nyong'o and Lawrence.

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The one nominee who could - if a vote split between the front-runners occurs - is 84-year-old stage vet June Squibb, up for her sassy turn as the salty-mouthed wife of Bruce Dern's character in 'Nebraska.'

Squibb of course follows a different Best Supporting Actress tradition - think Ruth Gordon in 'Rosemary's Baby,' Margaret Rutherford in 'The V.I.P.s' or Josephine Hull in 'Harvey.' A Squibb win would certainly be a delight, and the other kind of sweet acknowledgement this category allows.