West Ham boss David Moyes suggested the bulging schedule may be a contributory factor in the significant spike in Covid-19 cases circulating among Premier League players and staff.
The traditional festive programme has been a source of frustration for a number of managers in recent years and, barring any late postponements, West Ham will play nine fixtures in all competitions this month.
Moyes' side are currently coronavirus-free but the Premier League on Monday announced 42 positive tests had been recorded, the highest ever weekly figure registered, with a number of clubs enduring outbreaks of varying size.