Last updated on October 12th, 2026
The longest international break of the Premier League season is finally over, with fans chomping at the bit for the action to restart. There are several players coming back to their clubs in flying form.
Some countries played four games during the window, and there are some interesting signals off the back of the games that could be worth considering for anyone looking at the latest Premier League odds or trying to find value picks for their fantasy teams. Here are some players who stood out:
Viktor Gyokeres
No Premier League player had a better break than the Swede, and it was badly needed. He hasn’t scored a goal for Arsenal yet this season and only had 29 minutes on the pitch to show for his efforts. He exited the international window as the most in-form striker in the Nations League.
He started all of Sweden’s games, playing Romania twice, Poland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, scoring in each of them. That means he’s scored in 7 consecutive Nations League games, which is a record for the competition.
The timing matters too, as Kai Havertz, who has started up front in all 5 of Arsenal’s league games so far this season, came off with a hamstring complaint in Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands. The indications are that he’s looking at up to a month on the sidelines.
That means Gyokeres almost certainly will be starting in the coming weeks. Getting a striker who’s little more than £7 million in fantasy value starting for one of the league’s top sides is a rare commodity. That’s why Gyokeres looks like one of the more obvious picks of the week.
Bukayo Saka
England’s international window started with a 3-2 defeat at home to Spain, but there was a strong 7-0 rout of Croatia and home and away wins against Czechia. Saka scored twice against Croatia and played at least 70 minutes after starting three of the games.
Saka already has three league goals to his name this season, and he’s had six big chances, which is more than any other midfielder. Saka has also been on penalty duties, which is a nice bonus.
An injury to winger Christos Tzolis when playing for Greece means that there could be less rotation in the Arsenal side, making him a reliable choice for the coming weeks.
Martin Odegaard
The Norway captain went into the international break with an ankle scare after shipping a heavy challenge. However, the scan all came up clear, and he went on to play 90 minutes in all four of Norway’s games.
His team had a frustrating window, beating Denmark 3-2 before three straight losses. Portugal beat them twice, and they also lost out 2-1 to Wales. Odegaard was the one bright mark, providing four assists.
His £6.5 million fantasy price looks very undervalued, as he looks like he’s in much better form compared to last season. He’s on set pieces and has more of a creative role this time around. The catch is that you can have up to three Arsenal players, so some hard choices might be necessary.
Lewis Hall
Hall wasn’t included in England’s squad against Spain as a precaution after sitting out some training sessions. Then he started the next two games, playing 90 minutes against the Czech Republic and 79 minutes in the clean sheet versus Croatia.
That’s reassuring for a defender who has already delivered 31 points this season, contributing a goal, an assist and a clean sheet.
Newcastle’s upcoming fixtures are some of the best in the league, including Coventry away, Aston Villa at home and Crystal Palace away. He’s an attacking threat from left wing-back and is one of the best-value defenders on the market.
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes is certainly not a budget option, but his break actually went better than it appeared. Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus revealed that the Manchester United captain had been carrying an injury problem from the club season, which is why he wasn’t in the squad against Norway for the first time out.
However, he played 90 minutes in the next two games, allaying any fitness concerns. United host Tottenham, who are in the relegation zone this weekend, and he’s the highest projected scorer of the week. Being a penalty and set-piece taker, there’s always plenty of opportunity for Fernandes to rack up points that keep fantasy managers happy.
Mikel Merino
The Spanish midfielder is a cheaper option to get into Arsenal’s attack. Spain won all four of their Nations League games during the window, and Merino was one of their standout players. He assisted in a 4-1 win against Croatia, scored against the Czech Republic and grabbed a brace in a 2-1 win over Croatia.
Everything depends on what approach Arteta takes without Havertz being available. Merino has played as a makeshift centre-forward before. It’s a riskier move than the other Arsenal players on this list, but is a valid option.
Neco Williams
The Welsh full-back is a cheaper defensive option who delivered some big moments for his country during the break. Williams scored a free kick against Norway to seal a 2-1 win in Cardiff, which was the team’s first-ever victory in Nations League A, and Erling Haaland was kept quiet.
Williams was also Nottingham Forest’s player of the season last term, and an attacking wing-back role means that he’s a big threat going forward. Crystal Palace are up next, who have the worst expected goals conceded record in the league, with a trip to Ipswich following Arsenal at home.
The break also had some casualties. As well as Havertz and Tzolis facing spells out, Alexander Isak has a minor thigh injury, and Cody Gakpo had an ankle scan after suffering a heavy challenge.
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is set for two months on the sidelines too after picking up a quad injury while on England duty. With the Premier League returning, fantasy managers will be raring to go.
