Premier League preview and odds: Sunderland vs Arsenal

Published on: 29/10/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Sunderland vs Arsenal

October 29, 2016 12:30pm - Stadium of Light

Premier League

Bottom-of-the-pile Sunderland will look to lift the gloom at the Stadium of Light on Saturday by grinding out a positive result against an Arsenal side who are unbeaten in eight.

Sunderland may need a miracle

Sunderland already have a lower points tally than at the same time last season and things will not get any easier for David Moyes` men when in-form Arsenal pay a visit to the northeast this weekend.

The Black Cats have yet to win a game and have just two points to their name. They are stranded at the bottom of the table, six points adrift of safety, and if their current form continues, David Moyes may find himself out of work once again.

Last time out, the Mackems were beaten 1-0 away to West Ham United after conceding yet another late goal, which prompted further discussions about David Moyes` overly-defensive tactics. It was the ninth consecutive match in which they have conceded at least one goal.

Meanwhile, Arsenal travel to the northeast having won 75% of their away matches so far this season. The Gunners are undefeated in eight and have won their last three away games in a row. Their last Premier League defeat away from home came back in February when they fell 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Arsene Wenger`s men are level on points with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table and come into this match on the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough.

Team news

Sunderland have been plagued by injuries this season and their problems do not look like easing anytime soon. This weekend, they will be without Jan Kirchhoff (hamstring), Lee Cattermole (back), Fabio Borini (Groin), Vito Mannone (elbow) and Seb Larsson (knee), while Jason Denayer and Adnan Januzaj are both major doubts.

Meanwhile, Arsenal also have a busy treatment room with Santi Cazorla (Achilles), Chuba Akpom (back), Per Mertesecker (knee) and Danny Welbeck (knee) all out of action.

Recent form (League):

Sunderland: LLDLL

Arsenal: DWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Sunderland`s lack of confidence and negative tactics looks set to cause them further pain this season.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have not been beaten in 13 games in all competitions and have kept clean sheets in three of their last four Premier League matches.

The home side are desperate for a win but are unlikely to go on the offensive against the Gunners. However, they have not shown any signs that they are capable of grinding out results through disciplined defensive displays either.

As a result, the visitors can be expected to come away with a win and a clean sheet.

You can back the away side to win to nil at 7/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 29/10/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (29/10/2016 11:11:19) but are subject to change.