Premier League 
/ Andrew Atherley / 21 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Phil Bardsley and the Black Cats are on the upgrade
"Knowing which teams have upped their game, while others have stagnated or gone backwards, might be useful for punters this week, when a handful of in-form teams stand out as good bets."
The second-half of the season has seen some teams stall while others have turned the form around. Andrew Atherley outlines the improving Premier League performers and those on the decline
Half of the 20 Premier League teams have improved in the second half of the season and it's a fair bet that some of the names on the list would cause a few eyebrows to be raised.
Knowing which teams have upped their game, while others have stagnated or gone backwards, might be useful for punters this week, when a handful of in-form teams stand out as good bets.
We can all see that Manchester United are the improving team at the top of the table - their points average was 2.37 per game in the first 19 matches but has gone up to 2.5 in the second half of the season. Every other big-six team has gone backwards since the halfway point, some only marginally but Tottenham and Liverpool most dramatically.
Swansea are another obviously progressive side. Brendan Rodgers' increasingly impressive team are second to United among the improvers and third overall (behind United and Manchester City) if the league table was based only on results in the second half of the season. Swansea's record since the halfway point is six wins, one draw and three defeats.
One of the surprise names on the list of improvers might be Newcastle, who started fast and to many eyes appear to be consolidating at best. In fact, they are still moving forward - their points average in the second half of the season is 1.7 per game, a rise from 1.58 up to the halfway point.
Norwich, too, are still on the up, which might surprise some people after their status as best promoted side was taken over by Swansea. And it might also be a surprise that Bolton have improved just as much as Everton in the second half of the season, more than doubling their previous points average.
Blackburn, too, are notable improvers at the bottom end with a healthy average of 1.4 points per game since the halfway point, but the other strugglers - QPR, Wigan and Wolves - have all gone backwards.
So, how does that help us with this week's matches? Well, there are three fixtures that pit one of the improvers against a team in decline and backing the in-form teams looks the way to go.
The three improvers are Everton (at home to Arsenal on Wednesday night), Norwich (at home to Wolves on Saturday) and Sunderland (at home to QPR on Saturday).
With respect to Arsenal's steadying form, Everton might be best off -0 on the Asian handicap at [2.44]. Wolves and QPR have the worst two points averages since the halfway point of the season and home wins for Norwich at [1.84] and Sunderland at [1.94] look good.
Manchester City do not fit in the 'improvers' category, but nor are they imploding as some appear to believe.
Their points average in the first half of the season was 2.37 and since then it has been 2.33, still making them clear second-best in the Premier League behind leaders United.
City's home form is keeping them going and their fabulous record at the Etihad gives them strong betting appeal against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
In the past 12 months City's home record is 23 wins, one draw and just two defeats - and it's a perfect 18 in the Premier League. Despite Chelsea's resurgence, the stats say back City for another home win at [1.95].
Pick of the stats
Bolton v Blackburn
Both teams rank in the top four for games with over 2.5 goals - Bolton are second with 71 per cent and Blackburn fourth with 66 per cent
Swansea v Everton
Swansea rank seventh on home form and Everton's away record against the top 10 in that category is one win, one draw and six defeats
Recommended Bets
Manchester City to beat Chelsea at [1.95]
Everton off -0 on the Asian handicap v Arsenal at [2.44]
Norwich to beat Wolves at [1.84]
Sunderland to beat QPR at [1.94]
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