Which Premier League Team Is The Best After International Breaks?
The Premier League returns from the fourth and final international break with a full round of midweek fixtures.
Three games will be played on Tuesday, April 1, with six more the following evening and one more match on Thursday, April 3.
The Merseyside derby on Wednesday evening is the stand-out fixture as Liverpool continue in their pursuit of a 20th league title, while Everton are looking to win at Anfield for just the second time in 25 years.
Arne Slot's Reds are favourites to win that game with football betting sites, but form can be disrupted after international breaks.
The breaks are a difficult time for managers to negotiate, as they plan for their next game hoping all their players are available for selection.
The FA Cup quarter-finals will be played before the league returns, but which teams are more successful after an international break?
Let's take a look at which clubs return with a bang, and which ones struggle.
Premier League Table After 2024/25 International Breaks
United Top Dogs After International Breaks
If the league title was decided by games following international breaks, then Manchester United would be this year's champions.
It's been a season to forget for the Red Devils, who sacked Erik ten Hag in November and appointed Sporting CP boss Ruben Armorim as his replacement.
The club's struggles on the pitch have continued for the Portuguese, but not after a break for international fixtures.
United are one of just three sides unbeaten in league games after players represent their countries.
The Old Trafford side, Aston Villa and Brighton have all taken seven points from a possible nine to top this particular table.
However, United are 13th in the table that matters ahead of their trip to Nottingham Forest, who have two wins and a defeat in their three fixtures, including a 1-0 win at Liverpool in September.
Forest have been the surprise package of the season so far, and three points here would boost their chances of a top-four finish and qualification for Champions League football.
Villans And Seagulls Go Head-To-Head
Aston Villa and Brighton have hopes of playing in next season's Champions League, which would be Villa's second successive campaign and Brighton's first ever.
Brighton went into the international break seventh on 47 points, two behind Chelsea in fourth place, while Villa can go a point clear of their hosts with a win.
In league games played immediately after the break for international action, these are two of the best.
Both teams have won two of their three games and drew the other going into their meeting on the south coast on Wednesday night.
Unai Emery seems to have found a formula of getting the best of his players when they return to Villa Park after representing their countries.
Villa, who have conceded the first goal in all three of their post-international fixtures this season, have taken an incredible 22 points from a possible 24 in their last eight games after an international break.
They are underdogs on betting apps to win at Brighton's Amex Stadium.
Saints Search For First Point After Internationals
The season can't end soon enough for Southampton fans, who are already planning for life back in the Championship.
Resuming after the break 17 points from safety with nine matches left to play, it's a case of when their relegation will be confirmed.
Saints have lost all three games this season immediately after an international break, conceding three goals in each.
A home game with Crystal Palace awaits them when they return to action.
In the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park, Tyler Dibling gave Saints an early lead, but they were unable to hold on and lost 2-1.
Despite being the visitors, Palace are odds-on favourites on betting sites to condemn the Saints to another defeat.
Post International Break Trends:
Wolves Vs West Ham (Tuesday, 7.45pm):
Both teams to score has paid out in Wolves' three games after international breaks and in two of West Ham's.
Both teams to score is 5/6 with Betway
Bournemouth Vs Ipswich (Wednesday, 7.45pm):
Under 2.5 total goals has been a winning bet in all three of Ipswich's games and two of Bournemouth's matches.
Under 2.5 total goals is 31/20 with BetMGM
Brighton Vs Aston Villa (Wednesday, 7.45pm):
Over 2.5 total goals has landed in all three of Aston Villa's fixtures after the international breaks and Brighton's most recent game after the break saw three goals scored.
Over 2.5 total goals is 4/7 with 10bet
Manchester City Vs Leicester (Wednesday, 7.45pm):
Over 2.5 total goals paid out in all three games Manchester City and Leicester have played immediately after international breaks.
Over 2.5 total goals is 11/10 with Bet365
Southampton Vs Crystal Palace (Wednesday, 7.45pm):
Saints have lost all three games while conceded three goals in each.
Crystal Palace to win and score 3 or more goals is 12/5 with Bet365
