As
the Premier League returns for the final stage of the season, we look at
which teams have fared best on the back of international breaks so far this
campaign.
Few points of the season can cause such concern for managers and fans alike
as international breaks do.
With a number of players competing in hard-fought European Qualifiers and
friendlies in far-flung locations, there is always a worry over whether key
men will be injured and what condition they will be in when they return.
Bayern Munich suffered a significant blow in the latest round of
international fixtures as defender David Alaba was effectively ruled out for
the rest of the season with an injury sustained while on duty with Austria.
But how have Premier League clubs fared so far this season in the fixtures
immediately after an international break? We take a look at the form
guide...
The very good
Everton might have sometimes struggled after the Europa League this season,
but they have been perfect after international breaks.
The Toffees have recorded three wins from three matches, scoring seven goals
and conceding just one, so should be in good spirits for their home match
against Southampton this Saturday.
Premier League leaders Chelsea have also taken nine points from nine, and
striker Loic Remy welcomed the break this time around.
“For the players not involved in their national team like me, it is really
good because the break can make me feel good, I can train properly and be
ready for the next game."
Stoke beware...
The good
Manchester United, Manchester City and Southampton are all unbeaten after
international breaks this season, with two wins and a draw from their three
matches.
There were mixed fortunes for United over the past week, though, as Marouane
Fellaini continued his fine form with three goals for Belgium but Chris
Smalling picked up a knock with England that could make him a doubt for the
clash with Aston Villa.
City returned from the second international break in October with a thumping
4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur while Saints beat Newcastle 4-0 and then
Sunderland 8-0 before a draw against Aston Villa.
“We had 17 players out in the international break and if you show that
ambition until the last second it is great,” Saints manager Ronald Koeman
said after the crushing win over Sunderland.
After losing to Southampton, Newcastle bounced back with wins over Leicester
and QPR in their next two post-international matches.
The not so good
International
breaks have not been kind to Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, West Ham,
Leicester, Crystal Palace and Burnley this season.
All six teams have managed just four points from a possible nine in their
subsequent matches, although Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping
the likes of Harry Kane and Andros Townsend return from England duty with a
spring in their step.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said this break came at a good time for his
side and hopes they ‘come back with a bang’ against Leicester this weekend.
Stoke and Liverpool have also both struggled this campaign following
international fixtures as they have been beaten twice and won just once.
The Reds travel to Arsenal for a key clash this Saturday but have already
lost to Villa and Crystal Palace following rounds of international matches
this season.
The bad
Something will have to give this weekend when West Brom and QPR meet at The
Hawthorns as they have managed just one point between them in
post-international break matches so far.
Rangers have lost all three of their matches, scoring two and conceding
eight, while the Baggies – pre-Tony Pulis – have managed a draw and two
defeats.
Swansea are the only other team in the Premier League not to have picked up
a point as they have lost to Chelsea, Stoke and Man City.
Arsenal have been in fine form recently but are yet to win immediately after
an international break this season, drawing twice and losing once.
Hull and Sunderland have also picked up just two points from their three
matches, with the Black Cats boasting the worst goal difference in the
division of minus eight.
Post-international form (All played three matches)
ARSENAL - 2 pts (2 draws, 1 defeat)
ASTON VILLA - 4 pts (1 win, one draw, one defeat)
BURNLEY - 4 pts (1 win, one draw, one defeat)
CHELSEA - 9 pts (3 wins)
CRYSTAL PALACE - 4 pts (1 win, one draw, one defeat)
EVERTON - 9 pts (3 wins)
HULL CITY - 2 pts (2 draws, 1 defeat)
LEICESTER CITY - 4 pts (1 win, one draw, one defeat)
LIVERPOOL - 3 pts (1 win, two defeats)
MANCHESTER CITY - 7 pts (two wins, one draw)
MANCHESTER UNITED - 7 pts (two wins, one draw)
NEWCASTLE UNITED - 6 pts (two wins, one defeat)
QPR - 0 pts (three defeats)
SOUTHAMPTON - 7 pts (two wins, one draw)
STOKE CITY - 3 pts (1 win, two defeats)
SUNDERLAND - 2 pts (2 draws, 1 defeat)
SWANSEA CITY - 0 pts (three defeats)
TOTTENHAM - 4 pts (1 win, one draw, one defeat)
WEST BROM - 1 pt (one draw, two defeats)
WEST HAM UNITED - 4 pts (1 win, one draw, one defeat)
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