International breaks have become the bane of football fans who complain about the pressure it adds to the schedule and the injury risks for the players involved. League games after international breaks are also notorious for the surprises they can throw, especially taking into account the long travel schedules, and the Premier League is no exception.
Using data from OPTA from the 2021-22 season to the present day, we looked at which Premier League teams navigate the treacherous waters that international breaks bring in, and reveal the best and the worst. We only considered mid-season breaks and not international tournaments like the 2022 World Cup, AFCON 2023, Asian Cup 2023 and Euro 2024.
The PL International Break Table
Unsurprisingly, Man City top this table, having not lost in the last 11 games that have come right after an international break. Pep Guardiola’s men rarely lose their step after an international break, having won nine and drawn two games.
Liverpool are second on this list, but they have lost twice in the last 11 games right after an international break. One of those losses was the game against Nottingham Forest in September of this year.
Arsenal also have the same amount of losses as Liverpool but the Gunners have also won less than Liverpool. Seven wins, three draws and two losses in the last 11 for Mikel Arteta’s men. Aston Villa have amassed seven wins in the last 11 games right after a mid-season international break, winning 22 points (W7, D1, L3).
While most top teams have a good record right after a mid-season international break, Man Utd do not. The Red Devils have struggled in such games, winning four, drawing two and losing five. Their record is worse than the likes of West Ham, Wolves and Brighton.
Last Five Premier League Results After an International Break
| Team | Points | GF | GA | GD | Sep-23 | Oct-23 | Nov-23 | Mar-24 | Sep-24 |
| Newcastle | 15 | 15 | 5 | 10 | W | W | W | W | W |
| Aston Villa | 15 | 14 | 5 | 9 | W | W | W | W | W |
| Man City | 11 | 8 | 4 | 4 | W | W | D | D | W |
| Arsenal | 11 | 5 | 2 | 3 | W | D | W | D | W |
| Man Utd | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | L | W | W | D | W |
| Liverpool | 10 | 8 | 4 | 4 | W | W | D | W | L |
| Tottenham | 9 | 7 | 5 | 2 | W | W | L | W | L |
| Fulham | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | W | L | W | D | D |
| Brighton | 7 | 8 | 7 | 1 | W | L | W | L | D |
| Bournemouth | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1 | D | L | W | W | L |
| Nottingham | 6 | 7 | 7 | 0 | D | D | L | D | W |
| Chelsea | 6 | 6 | 8 | -2 | D | D | L | D | W |
| Brentford | 4 | 5 | 5 | 0 | L | W | L | D | L |
| West Ham | 4 | 8 | 13 | -5 | L | L | W | L | D |
| Wolves | 3 | 6 | 11 | -5 | L | W | L | L | L |
| Crystal Palace | 2 | 5 | 12 | -7 | L | L | L | D | D |
| Everton | 0 | 3 | 11 | -8 | L | L | L | L | L |
Newcastle United have been the Premier League’s best team when we only consider the last five games right after an international break. Eddie Howe’s men have picked up five wins from five - a run that only Unai Emery’s Aston Villa has matched.
Manchester City and Arsenal are neck and neck in this regard, with three wins and two draws. The two, along with Villa and Newcastle are the only Premier League sides to not register a loss in the last five games right after an international break.
Everton, meanwhile, have lost all five.
Top Goalscorers
| Player | Goals |
| Erling Haaland | 8 |
| Ollie Watkins | 7 |
| Mohamed Salah | 7 |
| Leandro Trossard | 6 |
| Roberto Firmino | 5 |
| Odsonne Édouard | 5 |
| Jean-Philippe Mateta | 5 |
| Callum Wilson | 5 |
Considering the period from 2021-22 to present, Erling Haaland is the top scorer in games right after an international break. Man City’s hitman has scored eight times and he only joined City in the summer of 2022.
Ollie Watkins’ haul of seven goals is a good indicator of Aston Villa’s strong performances right after an international break. His haul is matched by Mohamed Salah.
Arsenal will be looking to get goals from Leandro Trossard who has bagged six goals in games right after a mid-season international break.
