Fixture Chaos for Palace After Stunning Cup Win at Anfield

Crystal Palace are facing a brutal run of fixtures in December, with four matches in just eight days following their impressive 3–0 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

Oliver Glasner’s side booked their place in the quarter-finals with a dominant performance at Anfield, but that success has created a severe fixture pile-up as the club continues to compete on multiple fronts — the Premier League, Europa Conference League, and EFL Cup.

December Schedule: Arsenal Cup Clash Adds to Congestion

Palace have been drawn away to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, with the tie expected to take place during the week commencing 15 December — likely on Monday 16 December.

That fixture falls between a home Premier League clash with Manchester City on 14 December and a Conference League tie against KuPS on 18 December. Just three days later, they travel north to face Leeds United in another Premier League encounter on 21 December.

That run means Palace will play:

• 14 Dec: Manchester City (Premier League, home)
• 16 Dec: Arsenal (EFL Cup quarter-final, away – likely date)
• 18 Dec: KuPS (Europa Conference League, home)
• 21 Dec: Leeds United (Premier League, away)

No Midweek Slots Available Before Christmas

The EFL has confirmed that there are no alternative midweek slots available before Christmas to accommodate the tie. Discussions are ongoing between league officials, broadcasters, and both clubs, but scheduling flexibility is minimal due to a packed winter calendar.

The situation is further complicated by Arsenal’s involvement in the Champions League, which occupies the midweek rounds in January. As a result, Palace will have to endure one of the tightest fixture turnarounds seen in recent Premier League history.

Arsenal Gain Rest Advantage Before Quarter-Final

To make matters worse for Palace, opponents Arsenal will enjoy an extra day’s rest, as they play their Premier League fixture at home to Wolves on 13 December, one day earlier than Palace’s clash with Manchester City.

That extra 24 hours of recovery could prove significant given the physical demands of Glasner’s high-intensity system and the travel involved.

Glasner’s Side Juggling Three Competitions

Under Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace have been one of the stories of the season — defeating Liverpool three times across competitions (Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Community Shield). However, their success has brought scheduling headaches.

Palace have no free midweeks until after Christmas, with Premier League rounds continuing through early January. The EFL Cup semi-finals are scheduled for the week of 13 January, overlapping with Champions League fixtures, while the second legs are set for early February.

This congestion means Palace must carefully manage fitness and rotation, especially with key players like Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Michael Olise central to both domestic and European ambitions.

Fixture Pile-Ups a Growing Problem in Modern Football

Palace’s situation isn’t unique — fixture congestion has become a recurring issue in elite football. The club’s dilemma echoes previous examples:

• In 2019, Liverpool were forced to field two separate teams in different competitions within 24 hours — losing 5–0 to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup while their senior squad competed at the Club World Cup in Qatar.
• In 2020, Tottenham Hotspur were due to play Leyton Orient and Shkendija within 48 hours, before being handed a walkover after Orient’s Covid-19 outbreak.

A Test of Depth and Resilience for Crystal Palace

For Glasner and his players, December will be the ultimate test of squad depth and endurance. With back-to-back matches across domestic and European competitions, Palace’s ability to rotate effectively will be crucial in avoiding injuries and fatigue.

The club’s strong start under Glasner has lifted optimism at Selhurst Park — but the next month could define their entire season. Balancing success across three competitions will require tactical discipline, recovery management, and perhaps a bit of luck with injuries.