Sunderland vs Arsenal Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Sunderland’s season went from bad to worse in midweek when they were eliminated from their one saving grace so far this season. Southampton earned a 1-0 win thanks to a stunning strike from Sofiane Boufal, with David Moyes being sent to the stands late on to add insult to injury.

This made it three defeats from Sunderland’s last four, and their only two victories so far this season have come against lower league opposition in the League Cup. They remain bottom of the table with two points from a possible 27 in the Premier League, so it’s looking like another dismal season for the Black Cats.

In terms of goal-scoring threat they remain reliant on veteran striker Jermain Defoe and full back Patrick van Aanholt. Defoe has netted four times this season and van Aanholt has two, with both having two at the Stadium of Light. Unfortunately for Sunderland, no other player in their team has managed to find the net in the Premier League, apart from when Patrick McNair put the ball in his own net on the opening day of the season. Whether either of these players gets a chance on Saturday is also doubtful.

Sunderland have scored just three goals in their last six league games, and Arsenal are putting on a defensive masterclass at the moment. Their 2-0 win over Reading in the League Cup on Tuesday made it seven clean sheets from their last eight games in all competitions.

The victory also extends their unbeaten streak to 13 matches in all competitions, with ten of those ending in victory. Their last defeat was the opening weekend loss to Liverpool, and away from home they have won four and drawn two of their six competitive games.

It’s not just Arsenal’s defence that are on form though; their attackers are proving a constant threat to the opposition. Theo Walcott leads the goal-scoring charts with eight goals in the Premier League and Champions League, whilst Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have six each to their names. Sanchez has found the net three times away from home in the league this season as well, so he looks a good choice for an anytime goalscorer bet at 20/21.

Away from home Arsenal have conceded just three goals in their six competitive matches this season, and their defensive record recently has been superb. Considering Sunderland’s weaknesses at both ends of the pitch I think backing Arsenal to Win to Nil at 7/5 is a good option, and I’m going for a 3-0 correct score prediction at 10/1 as well.