Arsenal v Sunderland
Tuesday 16 May, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 2


Arsenal

From seemingly nowhere Arsenal are right back in the race to finish in the top four thanks to three straight victories; a comfortable 2-0 win over then top-four hopefuls Manchester United, and two impressive away wins at Southampton and Stoke, scoring six goals in the process.

However, the Gunners' resurgent form could all be in vain should Liverpool beat Middlesbrough on the final day of the season, and Manchester City take four points from their remaining two games.

Arsenal must also do their job of course and take maximum points this week, and home games against two clubs - one being rock bottom Sunderland - that have absolutelynothing to play for gives them a wonderful opportunity to do just that.

Arsene Wenger's men must also go for goals. Although unlikely, if Man City were to lose one of their remaining two games Arsenal could finish level on points with the Citizens, meaning goal difference would come into play. City have a five goal cushion currently, but a defeat reduces that advantage to a maximum of four, so then it would all boil down to how many goals City can rack up in a victory and how many the Gunners can score in their two wins.

Twenty-one-goal leading scorer Alexis Sanchez is a slight doubt after receiving a kick to his thigh in Saturday's win at Stoke, but it will be a huge surprise if he doesn't start, whileLaurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs must recover from minor calf strains if they are to figure.


Sunderland

The Black Cats' season reached another low on Saturday when they were booed off at both half time and full time in their home defeat to Swansea, with just an estimated 7,000 fans still in the stadium at the final whistle.

The defeat means already-relegated Sunderland are now almost certain to finish rock bottom of the Premier League and it's hard to see how David Moyes can muster any fight or enthusiasm from his players for a double header in the capital; Arsenal on Tuesday night and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Sunderland have failed to score in 10 of their last 12 league games and away to top eight opposition they've so far played six matches, and lost all six.

Jason Denayer and Victor Anichebe are major doubts from the side that started against Swansea. Denayer (thigh) and Anichebe (hamstring) both limped off during Saturday's defeat and were unable to train on Sunday. Tenacious midfielder Lee Cattermole is close to a return following an Achilles injury but the game at the Emirates might come just a bit too soon.

In Monday's press conference Moyes alluded to more players being unavailable (though he didn't mention names) and hinted that he may even take 'some of the kids' to face Arsenal.


Match Odds

You won't get rich backing Arsenal to win this match at 1.12which I do believe is the shortest pre-match price of any Premier League team for a long time.

As well as the huge gulf in class, Arsenal's resurgent form and desperate need for a victory, there's also the fact that they have to go for an emphatic win in case goal difference comes into play on Sunday.

It's impossible to see Sunderland laying a glove on the Gunners, which is why they are available to back at 32.00to win the game, and I don't envisage anything else but a comprehensive home win.

Arsenal HT/Arsenal FT is available to back at 1.46, which is one option for short-price backers, but on the Sportsbook, Arsenal -2 can be backed at 5/6 and that would be my idea of a solid wager.


Over/Under 3.5 Goals

Over 2.5 Goals is available to back at just 1.32, and that's completely understandable, but even at 1.82 I believe Over 3.5 Goals is well worth considering.

Deep down I think Arsenal will expect Man City to beat West Brom at the Etihad on Tuesday night, so they'll want to give themselves two chances of finishing in the top four on Sunday - Liverpool failing to beat Middlesbrough or Man City losing at Watford.

But to overhaul City should Pep Guardiola's men indeed take just three points from their remaining two games then the Gunners themselves will need to record a plus six or seven goal difference in winning their final two games.

And a home game against the worst team in the Premier League presents Arsenal with a fantastic opportunity to rack up a big number.

I'm not even convinced some of the Sunderland players are playing for pride. They produced another inept display at home to Swansea at the weekend, failing to score a single goal in a league game for the 10th time from their last 12 matches.

Should Arsenal get an early goal then I can quite easily see the floodgates open. We saw on Saturday that when Stoke reduced the arrears Wenger was urging his men forward, and they duly got another two crucial goals. If the Gunners can score four at Stoke, then in their current mood they can easily get four or five against the Black Cats.

But instead of backing Over 3.5 Goals, if you're like me and believe it will be Arsenal doing all the scoring then backAny Other Home Win at 2.28 in the Correct Score market. To collect, the Gunners must win the game and score at least four goals in the process.


To Score


While the brilliant Sanchez is obviously Arsenal's main goalscoring threat, in recent games Wenger's back three formation has allowed his wing backs to enjoy great success in an attacking sense and it seems just a matter of time before one of them gets on the scoresheet.

Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin were always looking to get forward against Stoke on Saturday and were constant threats. At home to Sunderland this duo will play key roles in many of Arsenal's attacks and they're both worth getting on side in this market.

They're available to back at 6/1 and my preference would be for Monreal, but there's no harm in playing it safer and backing Bellerin also.


Recommended Bet

Back Any Other Home Win @ 2.28 in Correct Score market
Back Arsenal -2 to Win @ 5/6 (Sportsbook)
Back Monreal @ 6/1 and Bellerin @ 6/1 To Score



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