The best-performing Premier League teams after the September International break

The September international break is often a period of mixed emotions for football fans. While it offers a chance to see national teams back in action, it also means a pause in club football just as the new season is gaining momentum.

For many teams, the break can be a double-edged sword; players return with tired legs, potential injuries or, more positively, returning with confidence after dragging their respective countries to victories.

So how do Premier League teams perform when they return from the first international break in the season?

Arsenal lead the pack when it comes to performances following the September international break, boasting a win rate of 77.8% over the past 10 seasons. The Gunners' strong record suggests that they tend to return from the break with renewed vigour, which would be welcome news after their draw with Brighton last game week.

However as Mikel Arteta’s men return to Premier League football with one of their biggest games in calendar, a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, this could be the end of their post-September international break superiority.

With captain Martin Ødegaard reportedly an injury doubt after limping off for Norway in midweek and Declan Rice suspended, Tottenham will be looking to capitalise and regain local bragging rights. Spurs are currently priced at 21/10 to pick up all three points against their arch rivals on Sunday.

On the other hand, Tottenham have also shown solid performances following the international break in recent season with a win rate of 66.7% and will be looking for a repeat of last season’s 2-1 victory over Sheffield United at the same stage last year.

Manchester City boast the same win rate as Arsenal but were shocked on a trip to Carrow Road back in September 2019, coinciding with the last time Pep Guardiola’s men failed to lift the Premier League title. City fans will be hoping their side can pick up where they left off before the international break as they aim to make it four wins from four with a win over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

However, with a total of 14 Manchester City players being selected for international duty across nine different nationalities, more than their title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool, Thomas Frank’s Brentford will be hoping that fatigue plays a crucial role. Brentford will be looking to repeat their heroic victory at the Etihad Stadium back in November 2022, with the Bees priced at 13/1 to pick up all three points.

The remainder of the traditional ‘big six’, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have had mixed fortunes in recent years. All three sides win percentage stands at 62.5% in their first fixture after the September international break, but with the three sides having favourable fixtures against Bournemouth, Southampton and Nottingham Forest respectively, they’ll be hoping for a change in fortunes this time around. It’s 3/1 for Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool to all win this weekend.

Brighton, who have had a promising start to the campaign under new manager Fabian Hürzeler, will be aiming to continue their unbeaten start as they host Premier League newcomers, Ipswich Town. The Seagulls are unbeaten in their last five matches following the September international break, with three wins from five matches, and they’ll be looking to build on that record this weekend. Brighton are 1/3 to beat Ipswich at the Amex Stadium.

Newcastle and Wolves are amongst the teams with the worst record following the September international break. The good news is that as they face each other at Molineux on Sunday, someone’s fortunes will change. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, who also tend to struggle after the international break having dropped points in nearly two thirds of the first game after the September break, will be hoping for an improved performance against newly promoted Leicester City.

West Ham have offered a mixed bag of results in recent seasons with an even spread of wins, draws, and losses, suggesting signs of inconsistency after the international break. Fulham, however, surprisingly emerge in the top four for win percentage with a 66.7% success rate, and they’ll be looking to continue that strong record this weekend at Craven Cottage. If history is anything to go by, 29/20 for a Fulham win seems a favourable price.

As the Premier League returns this weekend, Arsenal and Manchester City will be hoping their historic form continues, while West Ham and Newcastle will be looking to stop their downward trend of poor results.

With another international break on the horizon, teams will be hoping for a successful run of results as they aim to tee up the rest of the season to be a successful campaign. But which trends will be halted and which will continue? All is to be revealed this weekend as the top flight returns with an action-packed weekend of fixtures.