Sunderland vs Arsenal — Tips & Analysis

Under 2.5: Arsenal are deep in a grind, and their scorelines tell it. They have won their last five games, reading 1-0 at Napoli on Wednesday, 2-1 against Chelsea and 1-0 at Villa. Only 8 of Arsenal's last 17 games had 3 or more goals, and their games have just over 2 goals in them on average. Arsenal let in under a goal a game, so they do not trade chances with anybody. Sunderland are the other half of the case. They score less than a goal a game across their 8 home games this year. Only 7 of their last 17 games had 3 or more goals. These two have met 19 times, with Sunderland winning 1, tying 6 and losing 12, though the recent meetings have not been quiet ones. Arsenal also come in on 3 days of rest after a European trip, with Saliba out for months and Timber and Mosquera both in doubt. A side in that spot protects what it has. A 1-0 Arsenal win is the likeliest finish, and that is a comfortable one for us. There are ways this breaks. Sunderland have been making more chances than their home scoring suggests, and a patched up Arsenal back line invites a goal. Arsenal also won the last meeting here 3-0. We still want the quiet game.