Sunderland vs Arsenal
English Premier League 2016/17
Date: Sunday, 29th October 2016
Kick-Off at 12:30 UK
Venue: Stadium of Light (Sunderland).
Arsenal Team News & Preview
Arsenal travel to the Stadium of light for their Premier League clash against Sunderland this weekend.
The Gunners are in scintillating form right now and will look to pile further misery on David Moyes and his struggling Sunderland team.
Arsene Wenger’s side are second in the league table, level on points with leaders Manchester City. Considering City’s form right now, a big win for the Londoners could well send them to the top of the table.
The away side will be delighted with the return of Ramsey and Coquelin. However, the absence of Cazorla and Xhaka could hurt them against a defensive team like Sunderland. Defensively, Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker‘s absence is also a blow. Danny Welbeck and Akpom are injured and will miss out as well.
Predicted Arsenal Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey; Iwobi, Ozil, Walcott; Alexis
Sunderland Team News & Preview
Sunderland will be dreading their game against Arsenal this week. The home side are in disastrous form and could get humiliated at home once again.
They have lost seven of their last nine Premier League games and are yet to win a single game this season. The Black Cats will be up against the most in-form team in the division right now and could be in for another torrid 90 minutes.
David Moyes is already under immense pressure and will be without seven of his first team players for this game. Sebastian Larsson, Fabio Borini, Jan Kirchhoff, Vito Mannone, Adnan Januzaj, Jason Denayer and Lee Cattermole are all injured.
Predicted Sunderland Starting Lineup (4-5-1): Pickford; Manquillo, Kone, O’shea, Aanholt; Watmore, McNair, Ndong, Rodwell, Khazri; Defoe
While Ingolstadt’s “shock” draw at home to Dortmund last weekend was no doubt an impressive feat for such a small side, though likely resulting from Dortmund’s fatigue following their mid-week Champions League match, we feel it will be more difficult for the visitors to start off on the same foot here. Both Ingolstadt and Mainz have mid-week DFB-Pokal matches lined up before this weekend and that’ll take it’s toll much harder on the struggling side. Ingolstadt’s start to the new campaign is one of the worst by any side in years and has showed no sign of improving since three key members of their back four departed over the summer – Ingolstadt remain as one of just two sides without a win from their opening eight matches. Meanwhile, though Mainz have suffered from inconsistency, which may also be “blamed” on the extra matches resulting from their participation in the Europa League, they simply haven’t had the same problem scoring goals.
From looking over recent trends, goals seems to be almost the most inevitability outcome. While Mainz are scoring an average of about 2 goals per match so far this season, their problem has been, much like Ingolstadt’s, largely from conceding too many goals – over Mainz’s and Ingolstadt’s combined 16 matches there has only been 1 clean sheet between them. Looking over trends for Mainz at home and Ingolstadt away, further justifies a bet in the goal market here – over 2.5 goals and both teams to score has landed in all three of Mainz’s home matches this season (one 4-4 draw, one 2-3 defeat and one 2-1 win) and both teams have scored in 5 of Ingolstadt’s last 6 away matches.
As such, we feel that both teams to score has to be one of the best bets available at 4/5 with bet365. Using the sides’ respective goals per game averages, a correct score bet of Mainz to win 2-1 at 8/1 should also seems a decent shout.
Head To Head
Ingolstadt won 1-0 when the two sides last met in January earlier this year. Ingolstadt have won both the home and away leg 1-0 last season. Ingolstadt have won 3 of the 4 prior meetings between them.
Mainz vs Ingolstadt Stats
Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score has landed in all three of Mainz's home matches this season (one 4-4 draw, one 2-3 defeat and one 2-1 win). Both teams have scored in 5 of Ingolstadt's last 6 away matches. Mainz have averaged 2.66 goals per match at home so far this season.
Mainz Team News
Mainz 05 still have a whole host of injury concerns ahead of this match: centre forwards Emil Berggreen and Yoshinori Muto are both out. Midfielder Danny Latza and winger Christian Clemens are both also doubtful. Centre back Leon Balogun should make his return but Andre Ramalho also remains out. Central midfielder Jose Rodriguez, who was bought from Galatasaray over the summer, should also return from suspension.
Ingolstadt Team News
Ingolstadt have no notable players missing through injury or suspension. Their main signings over the summer include right winger Robert Leipertz, who joins them from Schalke, attacking midfielder Sonny Kittel and defensive midfielder Nico Rinderknecht joined from Eintracht Frankfurt, and right back Florent Hadergjonaj from Swiss side Young Boys.
Sunderland vs Arsenal: Head-to-Head Stats
Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw in their latest meeting against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on April, 2016. While the Gunners won the first leg clash at the Emirates Stadium by a 3-1 margin. They also met in the FA Cup last season, once again Arsenal earned a 3-1 win.
Both teams have played 141 matches against each other in all the competitions. Gunners have registered 56 victories, 40 draws and 45 lose against Sunderland side.
Sunderland haven’t defeated Arsenal in a Premier League clash since 2008/09 season. The Gunners are currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of 13 matches over Sunderland with 8 wins and 5 draws.
Sunderland vs Arsenal: Prediction
Arsenal and Sunderland have played their respective England League Cup matches in this week. So, both the team players will face some kind of fatigue problem during the match. And this could force the respective managers to rotate their squad. Gunners are already missing the defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka due to red card suspension.
Both teams will try to win this match to make sure that the Gunners will stay at the top of the table and other side Sunderland side will register their first win. If silly mistakes are avoided, then the Sunderland side could salvage a point from this crucial fixture.
At the moment, Arsenal is the favorite team to win this match against Sunderland. And the predicted result will be a narrow away win for Arsenal by 1 goal margin.
Sunderland vs Arsenal: Bet Tips
Under 2.5 Goals at 2.35 (27/20)
Arsenal to win at 1.40 (2/5).
Sunderland vs Arsenal Key Stats
Sunderland have lost 5 of their last 6 matches in the Premier League.
Arsenal have won their last 3 away matches in the Premier League.
Arsenal are undefeated in their last 9 matches against Sunderland in all competitions.
