Roy Hodgson has hit out at a "harsh" Premier League festive fixture list which leaves his struggling Crystal Palace side with just one day's left between two games.
Palace host Arsenal at 8pm on December 28 before Premier League champions-elect Manchester City come to Selhurst Park at midday on New Year's Eve. The Eagles then travel to St Mary's on January 2 to face Southampton for another evening kick-off.
Hodgson, who oversaw Palace's third league win of the season on Tuesday, bemoaned kick-off times moved for television coverage with the Arsenal and Manchester City games pushed back and then moved forward for Sky Sports and BT Sport coverage respectively.
"I think it's unfortunate if you are a team that gets moved for television and you only get one day rest," he told reporters.
"We have two days between Arsenal and Man City. I find it harsh we only have one day between playing Southampton and Man City.
"We will find that very hard. Our squad isn't very big."
Palace are in the midst of a six-game unbeaten run thanks to Tuesday's dramatic win over Watford, with goals scored in the 89th and 92nd minute, but Hodgson did not want to be drawn on his rivals heading into the traditional fixture pile-up.
"I don't think it's right to talk up or talk down some of the teams around you," he said. "We have enough pressure and responsibility.
"But if you ask am I pleased with what we have done in the last 10 games, the table does look better."
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