Do international breaks affect the premier league title race?

Hey guys^^ How are you doing today><?? 

Today we are going to  talk about are these international breaks actually affecting the title of race in the premier league?

OK well... , we just see what are the effects of those breaks on the aspect of top 4 clubs in the EPL；two Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Chelsea. 

It's one of the biggest cliches surrounding Premier League title contenders - how will they respond after midweek matches in the Champions League?

Are they a hindrance? Could they even help the big boys to gain results - the assumption being that a supposed 'lesser' side may lose form/rhythm during the break.

Well we've taken a look here at Mirror Football and investigated four of the Premier League's biggest sides - Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea - to see how they usually re-acclimatize to league action after mid-season international fixtures.

1. Manchester City

Our stats reveal that Manuel Pellegrini's men traditionally do the business when returning from the international break.

In games following the last 10 mid-season international breaks, City only lost one - following last season’s internationals in March.

When looking at the form surrounding the internationals, City only dipped in form following the break on four of the ten occasions.

In most occasions the number of points per game in the three matches following internationals was higher than in the six games going into the break.

Indeed, over the 10 international breaks in question, the Citizens averaged two points per game heading into the break and exactly the same on the other side

2. Manchester United 

In games following the last 10 mid-season international breaks Manchester United only lost one - coming after last season’s internationals in March.

However, when looking at the form surrounding the internationals, Manchester United suffered a dip in the games following the break on five of the ten occasions.

Over the 10 international breaks in question, the Red Devils averaged 2.1 points per game before the break, and two points per game after.

3. Liverpool

Liverpool could well be candidates to drop points against Aston Villa this weekend if their form following international breaks - and against the Villains at Anfield - continues.

Over the last 10 international breaks, Liverpool have won the game immediately following the break on only four occasions, drawing four and losing two.

The form in the three games following internationals has proven to be worse than in the six prior to the international on as many as six of the ten breaks in question.

On average, they won 1.8 points per game going into the fixture, but just 1.5 coming out of it.

4. Chelsea 

Chelsea have little need to worry about coming back from the international break where picking up a consistent run of points is concerned.

But our stats reveal that they are prone to problems in the immediate aftermath of international breaks.

In what could give Jose Mourinho some cause for concern, the London club have lost four of the 10 games immediately following mid-season internationals winning five.

Nonetheless, in games following the last 10 mid-season international breaks, the Blues have, on average, maintained the same form coming out of the break as they did going in.

In the six matches leading up to the international break Chelsea have averaged 1.8 points per game - the same as in the games following.

Reference;

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/international-breaks-affect-premier-league-4196198