Arsenal vs Sunderland - Betting Tips & Predictions.

Vitality Stadium 07 February - 15:00

Bournemouth

Aston Villa

Recommended tip Win for Arsenal

1: 2.70 X: 3.50 2: 2.40

1: 2.75 X: 3.65 2: 2.43

1: 2.80 X: 3.50 2: 2.50

#AD, 18+ T&C apply!

Saturday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium promises a proper spectacle as Arsenal welcome Sunderland in a fixture that could shape the title conversation. The Gunners return from Wembley-bound Carabao Cup glory and a thumping win at Leeds full of confidence, while the Black Cats arrive on the back of an impressive home victory — but travel form has been a worry.

There’s plenty to chat about: form, injuries and a little bit of history. The rivalry may not carry the venom of some fixtures, but the recent head-to-heads give Arsenal a psychological edge, and the odds are skewed heavily in Mikel’s side’s favour. For anyone shopping around for markets, our roundup nods you in the direction of the best football betting sites for competitive prices and promos.

Expect plenty of noise from the home end and a tactical chess match in midfield as Arsenal eye a gap at the top of the table. Sunderland, meanwhile, will not be mere passengers; they’ve shown they can score away and have players with the pace to hurt the hosts on the break. This clash matters for both: points for the title push and proof that Sunderland can handle pressure on the big stage.

As a quick snapshot — Arsenal look comfortable favourites, Sunderland dangerous on their day, and both teams have been involved in matches where both nets have bulged. That suggests markets like BTTS carry real appeal alongside a straightforward win-back for the home side.

Odds and Predictions

Bookmakers have slotted Arsenal in as clear favourites and the numbers tell the story: short prices for the hosts, longer odds for Sunderland and a draw that feels like the compromise ticket. The implied probabilities suggest the market expects a home win, but the presence of goals from both sides in recent games means value can still be mined for goal markets.

Home: 1/4 (1.25) — 80.0%
Draw: 11/2 (6.50) — 15.4%
Away: 10/1 (11.00) — 9.1%

In plain terms, the odds indicate Arsenal are overwhelmingly favourite. Our predictions lean the same way, but with a caveat: backing Arsenal to win alongside Both Teams To Score looks the savvy play. There’s a fair chance of a 3-1 type scoreline — Arsenal carving open a resolute Sunderland at home while conceding on the counter.

For punters who enjoy alternatives, consider handicap lines or a best-of-three-market combining a home win and BTTS. The “both teams to score” market is attractive given both sides’ recent scoring records and the likelihood that Sunderland will sit in and look to hit on the break.

Comparison and Statistics

Let’s get nerdy for a moment. The recent H2H history heavily favours Arsenal: they’re unbeaten in 13 meetings and have won nine of those. That head to head record gives the Gunners a mental foothold, although Sunderland did manage a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light earlier this season, proving they can cause a nuisance.

Form tells a similar story. Arsenal have won four of their last five in all competitions and demolished Leeds 4-0 on their last league outing. Sunderland’s form is respectable — a convincing 3-0 win over Burnley and tight results in recent weeks — but their away league record is concerning: winless in seven away league matches, losing four.

Goals have been a feature in recent matches for both sides. Both teams have scored in five of their last six fixtures, so the BTTS stat is not spin — it’s a pattern. Arsenal’s attack is firing, but their occasional defensive wobble means Sunderland’s forwards might find joy if given space.

All told, the numbers support a confident Arsenal win but not a clean sheet. If you like stats-led bets, look at expected goals (xG) trends favouring the hosts and Sunderland’s conversion rate on the counter as the likely route to their goal.

Expected Line-ups

Arsenal are likely to name a strong side but still have selection headaches. Saka remains sidelined, Mikel Merino is out, and Martin Odegaard is a doubt after missing the Chelsea game. Jurrien Timber is being carefully managed too. Expect Raya to keep goal with a back four and a technically adept midfield shielding an incisive front line.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya (GK); White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Havertz, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard. The balance here is clear — Rice and Zubimendi to do the heavy lifting, Havertz and Trossard the creative sparks. If Odegaard is fit late, he could slot into the No.10 role and change the dynamic.

Sunderland could hand Nilson Angulo a debut, perhaps from the bench, while Granit Xhaka and Bertrand Traore remain unavailable. They’ll probably line up compactly, looking to absorb pressure and hit on the counter with pace in the wide areas.

Predicted Sunderland XI: Roefs (GK); Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Diarra, Sadiki; Talbi, Le Fee, Brobbey. If Angulo features, he may replace one of the attacking midfielders and offer a bit more trickery. Tactics will hinge on midfield discipline and exploiting transitions.

How Will the Season Pan Out

This match sits in a broader narrative: Arsenal are chasing a title with momentum, while Sunderland are fighting to prove they belong among the best in the division. A win here for the hosts extends their cushion over rivals and adds confidence ahead of a busy run of fixtures; a surprise for Sunderland would be a season-defining scalp and statement of intent.

Looking at the bigger picture, Arsenal have the squad depth and form to sustain a title challenge. Their mix of youth and experience, plus Klopp-ish pressing and crafty finishing, gives them the edge in run-ins. Sunderland, meanwhile, need to shore up their away form if they’re to be anything more than mid-table challengers this season.

For betting and tactical observers, the result will influence markets: a comfortable home win will shorten Arsenal odds elsewhere and nudge Sunderland into underdog territory at longer prices. But if the Black Cats nick a goal early, expect the match to open up, creating opportunities for goal markets and in-play traders.

Summary tip: the safe, shrewd play is a Win for Arsenal, with a strong case for combining that outcome with Both Teams To Score. Back the favourites, but don’t ignore the entertainment value of a few cheeky alternatives — that’s where the real fun and value can be found.

For more regular match previews and a daily roundup of tips and predictions, check out our best football betting sites recommendations and stay ahead of the market.

Written by:

Mark Brown

Chief Statistician

Bio:

Football bores me to tears! I’m not interested in the Rooney’s and Ronaldo’s of the world, but I am interested in betting. With that in mind, I spend hours trawling through the statistics of the football markets and can usually come up with an angle which presents a viable betting opportunity.

Key contributions:

Chief statistician or Stato, as my colleagues like to call me

Personnel betting philosophy or quotes:

“Risk wisely, gain greatly”