Opta Stats: Arsenal striker to add to tally in tough away trip

Opta / Michael Lintorn / 10 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

A hat-trick against Blackburn last week increased RVP's top scorer lead

"Robin van Persie has scored 40 goals in his last 41 Premier League appearances"

All the usual favourites feature in this week's Opta-inspired guide to the most likely Premier League goal-getters, including Robin van Persie and Demba Ba...

Fulham v Stoke (Saturday, 15:00)
Clint Dempsey has scored three goals in the last five league meetings between Stoke and Fulham
Dempsey is a column regular and keeps justifying his inclusion. You're probably bored of the figures by now: 16 goals in 32 games and 11 in his last 14. That run should continue against a Stoke backline who have conceded two goals or more in four of their last eight and are now missing Robert Huth.
Recommended Bet: Dempsey to score @ [2.76]

Sunderland v Arsenal (Saturday, 15:00)
Robin van Persie has scored 40 goals in his last 41 Premier League appearances
The Premier League's top scorer has only ever started one top-flight game at the Stadium of Light, demonstrating the extent to which injury had plagued his progress prior to this season. If the reverse fixture is anything to go by, Sunderland should be worried though, as he fired twice in a 2-1 Arsenal victory.
Recommended Bet: van Persie to score @ [2.26]

Tottenham v Newcastle (Saturday, 17:30, ESPN)
Demba Ba has now scored 16 goals in his last 16 Premier League appearances for Newcastle
Any fears that Ba's short spell at the African Nations Cup with Senegal would affect his momentum in a stunning first campaign with Newcastle were quelled within half an hour of his comeback match against Aston Villa. He also struck in the reverse fixture with Spurs, so expect him to deliver again.
Recommended Bet: Ba to score @ [3.7]

Aston Villa v Manchester City (Sunday, 16:00, Sky Sports 1)
Darren Bent has scored seven goals in 12 Premier League games against Man City; only against Bolton (11) has he netted more often
And Bent didn't cheat by getting all of those before the takeover that transformed Manchester City's fortunes, instead scoring the only goal in home clashes with the title favourites in successive seasons for Sunderland and then Aston Villa. The England forward has already hit double figures this term.
Recommended Bet: Bent to score @ [3.4]

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