Sunderland vs Arsenal Prediction: Betting Tips & Odds

Sunderland welcome the defending Premier League champions to the Stadium of Light on Sunday morning New Zealand time for matchweek 4.

Arsenal have won all three of their opening league games without fuss. Sunderland, in their second top-flight season since promotion, have four points after a mixed start.

In this Sunderland vs Arsenal preview, I look at how both teams have shaped up so far and where the goals-market value is for those interested in football betting options this week. I’ve got one at over $3.50 that I like.

Sunderland

Four points from three games is respectable for a side that finished seventh last season and is now juggling the Premier League with a Europa League campaign. I wouldn’t say their performances have been convincing, though.

A late Clarke goal at Ipswich on the opening day cost them, Wilson Isidor came off the bench to beat Fulham 1-0 at home, and Enzo Le Fee converted an 82nd-minute penalty to rescue a point at Brentford. None of their league goals have come before the 39th minute. I’m not sure what to read into that, but it tells me they’re slow starters.

Granit Xhaka has been outstanding in midfield. His cross-field passing against Fulham was the main reason Sunderland controlled that game. And Brian Brobbey, who impressed at the World Cup with the Netherlands, will fancy himself against a patched-up Arsenal backline.

Team News: Diarra is out for six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury. Mundle and Browne are also sidelined. Methalie is suspended. Alese is a long-term absentee with a broken leg.

Predicted Lineup: Roefs; Meunier, Ballard, O’Nien, Reinildo; Sadiki, Xhaka; Hume, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey.

Arsenal

Arsenal are now nine points from nine, with six goals scored, and just one conceded. They’re picked up where they left off last season, and I’m not sure any team has the tools to stop them right now.

Odegaard has three goals in four games across all competitions. Saka has scored in back-to-back league games. Gyokeres came off the bench against Chelsea and Guimaraes is easing his way into the side after his £75m move. There’s serious depth here.

My concern is their defence. Saliba is out long-term with a back injury from the World Cup. Timber hasn’t played this season. Mosquera missed the Chelsea game, which gave Ezri Konsa his full debut. I wouldn’t call the centre-back situation stable, and they also travel to Napoli midweek in the Champions League.

Team News: Saliba is a long-term absentee with a back injury. Timber is close to a return but unlikely to feature. Mosquera is a doubt. Guimaraes was an unused sub against Chelsea and could start.

Predicted Lineup: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Eze; Havertz.

• Arsenal have won all three Premier League games this season without conceding more than once.
• Sunderland have scored all three of their league goals in the second half this season.
• Arsenal have won 12 of the last 14 Premier League meetings between these sides.
• Brobbey scored a 94th-minute equaliser at this ground last November to salvage a 2-2 draw.
• Arsenal won 3-0 at the Emirates in February, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring twice off the bench.

I’m predicting an Arsenal win here. I just don’t see a way around it. Their attacking depth is miles ahead of where Sunderland are, and even with a weakened defence, Arteta’s side have conceded just one Premier League goal this season.

Sunderland did give them a real contest at the Stadium of Light last November, and Brobbey’s late equaliser will give the home crowd belief. I can’t dismiss that. Arsenal will be coming off a demanding trip to Naples midweek, too.

But I don’t think it’s enough. Arsenal are too well-drilled in these situations, and Sunderland’s lack of a goal threat in the first half of games is a problem against a side this good defensively. I’m going 2-1 Arsenal on the night.

If you’re tracking odds yo use on free bets promotions this weekend, the goals-market angle is where I’d be looking.

Arsenal to Win and Both Teams to Score @ $3.60

Arsenal have conceded in four of their last five away league games. They haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home since March.

Sunderland’s record of second-half goals fits the pattern of a team that wears opponents down. Brobbey is good enough to find a gap, and with Arsenal rotating for the Napoli trip, there could be space at the back.

I can’t see Sunderland keeping Arsenal out, though. Odegaard and Saka alone have combined for six goals this season, and Havertz has been involved in everything.

At $3.60, I’m happy to back Arsenal win and BTTS on the top NZ betting sites.