Ronald Koeman has prepared his side for a physical Boxing Day battle against Crystal Palace.

The Saints boss has admitted that Palace will prove tough opposition after seeing Manchester City initially struggle to break down the Eagles last time out.

Neil Warnock’s side are well organised and well drilled and Saints, who welcome Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama, Florin Gardos and Dusan Tadic back to their squad for the game, will need to repeat the kind of display they showed to defeat Everton to bag another valuable three points.

Today’s game, which sees Jose Fonte sit out a one match ban, is the start of four matches in 11 days for the club.

And along with the physical threat Palace pose, Saints will also have to deal with flying winger Yannick Bolasie.

Koeman said: “Always in a team you have players who make decisions in technical part of football and he is one of those players.

“He’s fast, he’s strong, he’s got a good left foot.

“We have to give attention to that because he is an important player for them in an attacking way but they have a good defensive organisation.

“It wasn’t easy for City to break down that.

“It’s a difficult one because maybe it’s a little more direct football, they have physically strong players, strong in set pieces and we have to prepare for that.

“Of course Bolasie is one of the creative, attacking players that they have and it’s always difficult.”