The Champions League has a negative impact on English clubs in their subsequent Premier League fixtures, a Sky Sports study has found.
While Arsenal, Leicester, Manchester City and Tottenham were all odds-on favourites to win their domestic match-ups this weekend, recent history shows teams competing in Europe's elite club competition often suffer a knock-on effect from their midweek exertions. Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea have taken part in the last five Champions League competitions and over that period average a worse points-per-game return in Premier League fixtures taking place after Champions League rounds.
City have suffered more than most, with their points-per-game haul in the Premier League dropping from 2.18 when they haven't played in the Champions League earlier in the week to 1.76 when they have. That's a 19 per cent decrease.
Interestingly, City's neighbours Manchester United have proved to be the exception to the rule. Over the past five years, in which United have participated four times in the Champions League, the Old Trafford side actually have a better record in Premier League matches played after those European games. United have taken an average of 2.09 points per game in the Premier League following Champions League action but that figure drops to 2.01 points per game when they haven't.
However, while their five-year average points returns demonstrate a drop-off after Champions League action, City, Arsenal and Chelsea have each had individual seasons where they've picked up more points per game after European action.
In 2012/13, City won 1.8 points per game after Champions League fixtures, compared to 1.16 at other times. Similarly, Arsenal (in 2013/14 and 2014/15) and Chelsea (2011/12 and 2013/14) have experienced similar trends. In 2014/15, Liverpool had a better record after not playing in the Champions League. Under Brendan Rodgers, the Reds took 1.7 points per game when they hadn't previously played in the Champions League compared with 1.17 when they had.
Major PL clubs' records since 2011/12
Club PL record after CL games PL record in non-CL week
Arsenal* 1.83 pts per game 1.97 pts per game
Chelsea* 1.8 pts per game 1.88 pts per game
Man City* 1.76 pts per game 2.18 pts per game
Man Utd** 2.09 pts per game 2.01 pts per game
Liverpool# 1.17 pts per game 1.7pts per game
*Figures for seasons 11/12, 12/13, 13/14, 14/15, 15/16; ** for seasons 11/12, 12/13, 13/14, 15/16; # season 14/15
