Sunderland vs Arsenal predictions: 6-1 Bet Builder tip, team news and odds

Sunderland vs Arsenal kick-off, date & TV info

Date Saturday, September 12

Kick-off 8pm

Venue Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Competition Premier League

TV TNT Sports 1

Premier League champions Arsenal have started the new campaign in ruthless fashion, winning all of their five games and conceding just one goal.

Next up for Mikel Arteta's Gunners is a trip to the Stadium of Light to face a Sunderland side who surpassed all expectations last season but have endured an uncertain opening to the new campaign.

Sunderland vs Arsenal betting tips & predictions

Best bet

Arsenal -1 goal on handicap

2pts 11-8 general

Best player bet

Christos Tzolis to score or assist

Evs Betfair, Paddy Power

Sunderland vs Arsenalpreview

The Great North Run takes over the north-east this weekend and Sunderland face a marathon task trying to keep pace with Arsenal at the Stadium of Light this evening.

Any concerns about the Gunners resting on their laurels after finally ending a two-decade wait to win the Premier League title have already been put firmly on the back-burner.

The Gunners have won all five of their matches this term by a 10-1 aggregate scoreline, beating Manchester City in the Community Shield, Coventry, Aston Villa and Chelsea in the Premier League, and Napoli in their first Champions League of the campaign on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta's champions were exceptional in Naples in midweek, racking up an expected-goals of 4.05 in a 1-0 victory as they allowed their Italian hosts just five shots.

That came after an impressive comeback victory over Chelsea, who have scored 15 goals in their other four matches this term.

Having opened up at 6-4 to defend their league title, Arsenal have already been cut to 8-11 and it’s hard to see Sunderland being a major obstacle.

The Black Cats were beaten at Ipswich on the opening weekend before getting the better of ailing Fulham at the Stadium of Light. They then received the rub of the green in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Brentford.

Regis Le Bris took the opportunity to shuffle his pack in a narrow 1-0 EFL Cup win over Hull in midweek, but Arsenal are on another level to the Tigers and, despite exceeding all expectations last term, Sunderland struggled against the Premier League's elite.

They failed to win any of their ten games against the top five last season and their record against Arsenal makes for even worse reading.

Sunderland have won only one of their last 29 Premier League meetings with the Gunners and they have lost ten of their last 13 encounters with the boys from the Emirates.

The Black Cats also have the small matter of a first European game since the 1973-74 season on Thursday, and they may find themselves overrun by the champions, who can again show they intend to remain on the top spot of the podium this season.

Tzolis can catch the eye

Christos Tzolis has made an impressive start to life as an Arsenal player and seems to have nailed down a spot on the left side of the champions' attack.

Only Morgan Rogers has created more chances from open play than the Greek star (8) and he registered a first league assist against Chelsea last weekend.

Tzolis brings a good balance to Arteta's side and he may show his qualities once more on Wearside.

Sunderland vs Arsenal Bet Builder

Arsenal to win

The Gunners have won on five of their last seven trips to the Stadium of Light and can continue their dominant start the season.

Bruno Guimaraes to win two or more fouls

The Brazilian drew 75 fouls for Newcastle last season and could be brought down at least twice in what could be a compelling midfield battle.

Granit Xhaka to win two or more fouls

Xhaka is the most fouled player in the Premier League this term, having been brought down eight times, and Arsenal will know stopping their former midfielder is key.

Pays out at 6-1 with bet365

Key stats for Sunderland vs Arsenal

♦ Sunderland failed to beat any of the top five last season

♦ Arsenal have scored 16 goals in the last five meetings with Sunderland

♦ The Gunners have allowed just 0.93 expected goals in three Premier League games

♦ Arsenal have kept six clean sheets in their last eight league matches

Sunderland vs Arsenalbetting odds

Sign up with Paddy Power to bet on Sunderland vs Arsenal in the Premier League. Here are the latest odds for Saturday's match at the Stadium of Light:

Odds correct at time of publishing

Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport's tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.

Sunderland vs Arsenalteam news and predicted line-ups

Sunderland

Romaine Mundle and Habib Diarra are long-term absentees. Regis Le Bris is likely to ring the changes after fielding a second-string team against Hull in the EFL Cup.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Angulo, Le Fee, Fofana; Brobbey

Subs: Rigg, O'Nien, Isidor, Methalie, Ahoka, Hume, Alderete

Arsenal

Cristhian Mosquera and Jurrien Timber are doubts and William Saliba remains on the sidelines following back surgery.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz

Subs: Lewis-Skelly, Gyokeres, Madueke, Eze, Merino, Hincapie, Zubimendi

Read more:

Tottenham vs Everton predictions: 11-2 Bet Builder tip, team news and odds

Weekend football predictions & free betting accumulator tips from Aaron Ashley

WATCH: The Assist – the football betting show from the Racing Post

FAQs

When is Sunderland vs Arsenal in the Premier League?

Sunderland vs Arsenal takes place on Saturday, September 12 and kicks off at 8pm BST.

Where is Sunderland vs Arsenal being played?

The venue for the game is the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

Where can I watch Sunderland vs Arsenal?

TNT Sports 1 is showing the game live in the UK.

What is the match betting for Sunderland vs Arsenal?

Arsenal are 4-9 to win at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland are 13-2 chance and the draw is 3-1 with Paddy Power.

Click for free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post

Important information: This article may contain links to offers or promotions that were available at the time of publication. These offers may have since expired or changed.

Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.

Click here to read article