Stoke, Newcastle, Swansea, all clubs that, in recent years, have seen their excursions in Europe coincide with a noticeable downturn in their Premier league fortunes.
The natural deduction has long been that playing mid-week leaves you with a “hangover” the following weekend. An unavoidable consequence of daring to push for European glory.
Is it true though?
With Everton all set to return to the European stage, can we find out the reality of this long held belief?
Well, the fine gentlemen of the Trinity Mirror data unit have crunched the numbers regarding the results for Premier league teams playing in the Europa League over the past five seasons. The data proves that the so called “hangover” may not exist at all.
Those taking part in the Europa League have a 47% win rate following a mid-week contest compared to a 44% win ratio on the weekend before.
Champions League data yielded similar results with a 61% win ratio in contrast to 59% the previous week.
So rest easy Everton fans, the stats show that if anything your form will be better after your travels.
And stats don’t lie. Do they?
Have you signed up for the newsletter. Every signup or comment left gets another entry into the draw. This week win signed Everton shirts.