Opta Stats: Overlooked Rooney to net against Arsenal

Wayne Rooney relishes playing against Arsenal

Christian Crowther uses Opta's insights to predict goals for Wayne Rooney, Grant Holt, Juan Mata and Andy Carroll...

Manchester United v Arsenal (Saturday, 12:45, Sky Sports 2)
Rooney's 10-goal haul is the highest by a Premier League player against the Gunners (along with Robbie Fowler) and also his joint-highest versus any opponent in the history of the competition
While all eyes will naturally be on former Arsenal captain Robin van Persie, Manchester United's other assassin-in-chief can quietly go about landing his own killer blows. Since returning to the fold after a frustrating period of unavailability on the sidelines, Wayne Rooney has looked super-charged once more and his combination play with RVP is enough to get any defensive knees trembling. And as the above stat indicates, the former Evertonian has been a constant thorn in Arsenal's side down the years.  
Recommended Bet: Back Rooney to score @ 2.6213/8

Norwich v Stoke (Saturday, 15:00)
Grant Holt has scored three goals in his last four Premier League appearances
Just when the obituaries were starting to be written on Norwich's second season in the Premier League, the Canaries have staged an admirable mini-revival - first downing Arsenal then drawing away at Aston Villa and knocking Tottenham out of the Capital One Cup. Their talismanic striker has of course been central to all Delia-delighting exploits - scoring the winner against Arsenal - and generally giving defences the run around. Eleven of his 18 Premier League goals have come in front of the yellow-and-green hoards. 
Recommended Bet: Back Holt to score @ 3.052/1

Swansea v Chelsea (Saturday, 15:00)
Juan Mata has scored four goals and assisted five more in his last five Premier League appearances
Chelsea's midweek revenge mission against Manchester United gave plenty of clues that this squad is capable of lots more goals at the Liberty Stadium. The heartbeat of this free-flowing Chelsea side is Juan Mata, who has rightly receiving plaudits much greater than his diminutive stature for recent performances. His Midas touch is sure to trouble the Swans, who are without a clean sheet in their last seven league games. 
Recommended Bet: Back Mata to score @ 3.412/5

West Ham v Manchester City (Saturday, 17:30, ESPN)
Andy Carroll has scored four goals against Manchester City, more than he has netted against any other opponent in the Premier League
Liverpool's unloved record signing was welcomed in by the far more hospitable Hammers at the beginning of the season with a chance to prove to his employers what they were missing. So far, some energetic displays mixed in with a few assists are all Sam Allardyce has to show for his investment, but Carroll has come close to notching. West Ham have been strongest at home and with Manchester City's ever-depleting defence in town - combined with Carroll's favourable stats - this represents a great opportunity for the big man to get off the mark. 
Recommended Bet: Back Carroll to score @ 3.9n/a