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Arsenal takes on Sunderland at Emirates, a previously postponed match that will see one of these two sides complete their season objective. While Arsenal needs a win to finish 3rd, Sunderland will avoid relegation with a point.
The Gunners claimed just one point in the last two matches but, after 3 halves of poor football, they did well in the second half at Old Trafford over the weekend – coming back from 0-1 down to secure a 1-1 draw, even looking the more likely team to win it in the closing stages. Wenger’s side will look to secure a Top 3 finish today, but a win would also allow the Gunners to challenge a second place finish in the last day of the season.
Sunderland is almost surely guaranteed Premier League football next season, but the visitors can save themselves mathematically with a point today, so that`s what they will be aiming for. Sunderland is in pretty good shape right now, losing just 1 of the last 7 games and winning 2 out of the last 3. They were held to a 0-0 draw at home by in form Leicester on Saturday.
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Team news & lineups:
This might be the first time in the last 5-6 years when Arsenal doesn`t have a single player ruled out. However, Arteta and Oxlade Chamberlain will most likely be left out and there are small doubts over Wellbeck and Debuchy as well. Sunderland will have to do without Bridcutt, Alvarez, Gomez and Brown. Jones is doubtful.
Arsenal: Ospina – Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal – Coquelin, Cazorla – Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis – Giroud
Sunderland: Pantilimon – Reveillere, O’Shea, Coates, Van Aanholt – Bridcutt, Cattermole – Larsson, Defoe, Fletcher – Wickham
I fully expect Arsenal to win the three points and book the 3rd place in the standings, but they will have to work for it. They are coming after a tiring match with United, while Sunderland is in great form, hard to defeat and hard to break down. The visitors will clearly come at Emirates to defend a draw and taking all these factors into account, I reckon a 1-0 Arsenal win is more likely than a 3-1 or 4-1 victory – thus making a bet on “Arsenal to win to nil” better than a handicap and the odds are superior as well.
My tip is an Arsenal win to nil. Prediction: Arsenal – Sunderland 2-0.
Pick: Arsenal wins to nil
Odds: 2.10 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.80
Event date: 20 May
you said in your pick that arsenal needs a win to book 3rd place…..wrong.. a draw is just enough to book 3rd place. what is wrong with you mate. i think that is a important fact and a huge difference …with one draw both teams get what their want
pff, you are right. I forgot that in BPL goal difference counts, not direct meetings.
I usually don`t make these mistakes, no matter how my picks go. Bringing the correct info in the preview is my main objective, so I`m really sorry I made this error. Obviously Arsenal is going like crazy for the goal, but they could have chosen to play more tentative.