Prediction: Arsenal vs Sunderland

Verdict: Arsenal to win to nil

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: William Hill

Searching for their fourth successive Premier League triumph, Arsenal aim to keep their slim hopes of securing a top 4 finish alive as they prepare to host bottom-placed Sunderland, who lost all chances of survival few weeks ago, but still managed to defeat relegation rivals Hull City on the road.

Arsenal

This is likely to go down as yet another disappointing campaign for Arsenal, as the team are highly unlikely to achieve a top 4 finish and qualify for the Champions League. The Gunners did well to win their last three league fixtures, defeating Manchester United, Southampton and Stoke City, but this is all too little too late, as Liverpool and Manchester City look set to pip Arsene Wenger’s side to last two CL berths. Following the final two league fixtures against Sunderland and Everton, Arsenal will take on new Premier League champions Chelsea in the FA Cup final, but even the win in that game wouldn’t make a lot of difference. It remains to be seen whether long-serving manager Arsene Wenger will finally pay the price for under-par results, but either way the Gunners will face problems in the summer transfer window. While Alexis Sanchez is almost certain to leave, Mesut Ozil’s long-term future is also in doubt, whereas the club will face problems attracting high-profile footballers if they fail to secure Champions League football. This is why Arsenal will attempt to win their remaining two games and hope that one or Liverpool or Man City will slip up between now and the end of the season.

Team News

Star forward Alexis Sanchez faces a fitness test, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla are definitely out.



Sunderland

Following several narrow escapes, Sunderland will finally be relegated to the Championship and they have nobody else to blame but themselves for the poor results. Nobody knows why the club chiefs decided to stick to David Moyes, when it was evident early on that the former Everton and Man Utd boss was unable to give the Black Cats a fighting chance of survival. Poor attacking performances proved the difference in the end as Jermaine Defoe bagged 15 of Sunderland’s 28 league goals this season, while his attacking teammates were largely disappointing. What is more, the Black Cats failed to score a single goal in 19 of 36 Premier League fixtures, which is by far the worst record in the elite division. All that’s left now is to try and give their best in the final two games against Arsenal and Chelsea, although that will be no easy task considering that the players are completely out of confidence at the moment. Sunderland did win two of their last six away fixtures, but also lost 10 of last 12 on the road.

Team News

Steven Pienaar and and George Honeyman could return, but Jan Kirchhoff, Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore are out injured.

Key Factors to Consider

• Sunderland lost 10 of last 12 away games
• The Black Cats failed to score in 10 of last 12
• Arsenal won last three fixtures, conceding once
• The Gunners recorded four wins to nil in last five at the Emirates
• Sunderland won one of last 26 EPL matches vs Arsenal (D9 L16)

Conclusion

Arsenal have raised their form since switching to three at the back and they seem to be more solid in defence at the moment. Meanwhile, Sunderland have struggled up front, especially on the road, so we are backing the Gunners to win another home game without conceding.

Verdict: Arsenal to win to nil

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: William Hill