Arsenal vs Sunderland Betting Tips

Arsenal enjoyed an excellent run of domestic results at the start of the season, and were up there among the names of possible Premier League contenders again.

But a classic Arsenal injury crisis has dented their title hopes. They have no less than eight players expected to be missing on Saturday, with Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, and Francis Coquelin all frequenting the physio’s office.

This injury crisis has almost certainly contributed to Arsenal only winning one of their last five games in all competitions.

They could only manage a draw at home to the out of form Norwich last weekend, which followed a Premier League loss to West Brom the weekend before. This leaves them in 4^th position in the table, with two points separating them from leaders Manchester City.

Sunderland’s 2-0 win over Stoke last weekend was only their 3^rd of the season, and it saw them escape the relegation zone for the first time since the opening day of the season.

This win took their recent record into very respectable territory. They have won three and lost two of their last five matches, picking up nine of their 12 Premier League points in just five games.

Sunderland will certainly be feeling better about their chances in this game considering their recent performances, but it will still be a difficult trip to the Emirates.

Big Sam’s made it his priority to sort out the Sunderland defence, and so far he seems to be doing a good job. If you discount the 6-2 drubbing by Everton, Sunderland have only conceded once in their last four Premier League games.

This makes odds of 2.075 for a Sunderland +1.5 Asian Handicap Win look really good value, especially considering Arsenal’s poor form recently. I still think Arsenal will get the win, but Big Sam will do all he can to keep it respectable and keep his teams’ spirits high.