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Arsenal vs Sunderland Preview: Odds, Tips & Predictions

Date: Saturday, February 7 Venue: Emirates Stadium Kick-off: 3pm GMT Arsenal will look to keep their title mission on track when they host Sunderland on Saturday, February 7 at the Emirates. January was a testing month for the Gunners, as they dropped seven points, and that included a 3-2 defeat at home to Manchester United. Naturally, Arsenal, who are leading the way in the Premier League, attract plenty of attention from the best football betting sites who will be deluged with odds. Let’s not negate the fact that Sunderland have been a breath of fresh air. While things have dipped a little, barring an incredible capitulation, Regis Le Bris’ charges will be competing in England’s top-flight next term.

Dean McHugh
Dean McHugh

Last updated: 2026-02-02

Chad Nagel

7 minutes read

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Brian Brobbey celebrates after scoring the equalising goal

Brian Brobbey celebrates after scoring the equalising goal / Getty Images

Arsenal and Sunderland played out a thrilling 2-2 draw earlier in the campaign at the Stadium of Light. But how will things pan out this time? SportsBoom is on hand to provide some pre-match betting odds and share some tried and tested strategies, so you can approach the markets with confidence.

Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: Arsenal Overwhelming Favourites

Premier League betting sites always focus on the bigger picture. This section has sourced odds from one of the finest online sports betting operators to see how they view things ahead of Arsenal vs Sunderland:

  1. Home: 1/4 (1.25) – 80%

  2. Draw: 9/2 (5.50) – 18.2%

  3. Away: 11/1 (12.00) – 8.3%

    *Odds courtesy of William Hill, subject to change.

Head-to-Head Record

Premier League head-to-head records lifts the curtain on the history of two sides, and offers some fascinating pre-match glimpses. Here is how the past few meetings between Arsenal and Sunderland have unfolded.

Last Five Meetings (Premier League)

  1. 08/11/25: Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

  2. 16/05/17: Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland

  3. 29/10/16: Sunderland 1-4 Arsenal

  4. 24/04/16: Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal

  5. 05/12/15: Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland

Arsenal Current Form – WDDLW

Perhaps the busy festive period has caught up with Arsenal, as they have looked far from assured over recent weeks, but they are still top.

They went three games without a win, and the defeat to Manchester United was surprising given that the Red Devils were lacking creativity and fluidity when Ruben Amorim was in charge, but the Michael Carrick effect has worked wonders.

Anyway, the Gunners have to go back to basics, and they need to start creating more chances from open play if they are going to hurt Sunderland.

Key Players to Watch

  • Declan Rice
    Providing the engine in midfield, Declan Rice has put up some impressive numbers this season, in terms of pass completion rate (89%), but he’s also had seven goal involvements (four goals and three assists), so he is a difference maker.
  • Leandro Trossard
    A key cog in a well-oiled machine, Leandro Trossard has had nine goal involvements this term (five goals and four assists), and he’s capable of taking games by the scruff of the neck.
  • Martin Zubimendi
    A classy operator who is usually unfazed in most situations, Martin Zubimendi has popped up with some big goals, and Sunderland will need to close him down.

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal are without Bukayo Saka, while Riccardo Calafiori, who played 45 minutes of the recent Champions League win over Kairat Almaty, was an unused substitute against Leeds

Sunderland Current Form – DDLWL

Sunderland have been one of the surprise packages of the season, and they have caught the eye of the neutrals.

Under Le Bris, Sunderland have acquitted themselves well, and they are a joy to watch on the counter.

While results have slowed slightly, they gave Arsenal a scare earlier in the campaign, and given the Gunners’ recent wobble, they will look to ask some pressing questions at the Emirates.

Key Players to Watch

  • Dan Ballard
    Although he missed a chunk of the season through injury, Dan Ballard’s positional play is excellent, and he could frustrate the Gunners by cutting out crosses or blocking shots.
  • Brian Brobbey
    Although it took him time to settle in, Brian Brobbey has been in form, netting in three of his past four league outings. He also scored a dramatic equaliser against Arsenal in the corresponding fixture at the Stadium of Light, so he doesn’t mind leaving it late.
  • Enzo Le Fee
    Although he had a Panenka fail from the spot against Brentford last month, Enzo Le Fee has been starting to pull the strings more, and with two goals in his last three league appearances, Arsenal must keep him quiet.

Sunderland Team News

Granit Xhaka is the main casualty, as he picked up an ankle injury against Crystal Palace, and he is therefore unlikely to face his former club.

Predicted Line-Ups

  1. Arsenal (4-3-3)

    Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié, Zubimendi, Rice, Madueke, Havertz, Trossard, Gyökeres

  2. Sunderland (4-4-2)

    Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Mandava, Hume, Sadiki, Le Fee, Mundle, Mayenda; Brobbey

Suggested Bets

Premier League sportsbooks never miss a beat, and we’ve outlined three intriguing football betting tips to consider ahead of Arsenal vs Sunderland.

  1. Over 2.5 Goals: If the previous fixture is anything to go by, we could be in for a barnstormer. Over 2.5 goals is a decent shout here. (3/4 with Betway)

  2. First Team to Score – Arsenal: Mikel Arteta’s men are usually food frontrunners, and against Sunderland, they have netted the opener in their past two home league clashes. (9/50 with Bet442)

  3. Full Time Result – Arsenal: The Gunners haven’t lost at home against Sunderland in the Premier League era, so this is worth tapping into. (1/4 with Unibet)

Value Bets

  1. Highest Scoring Half – Second Half: The last clash saw three of the four goals scored inside the final 45 minutes, so this has some value attached to it. (11/10 with Midnite)

  2. Anytime Goalscorer – Declan Rice: Although he last scored in the 3-2 win away to Bournemouth last month, Rice is due a goal, and we fancy him hitting the target. (3/1 with BetMGM)

  3. Arsenal Over 7.5 Shots on Target: In two of their previous clashes with the Black Cats at the Emirates, they have comfortably surpassed this target, so this is worth leaning into. (37/20 with Leovegas)

Prediction: Arsenal to Win 

While Arsenal have suffered a mini wobble lately, perhaps it is natural as the finish line draws closer. Even at the top, you won’t win every game, and for a side that has seen the title elude them for so long, nerves begin to kick in.

Sunderland, who played their part in an entertaining 2-2 draw earlier in the campaign, have seen results waver a bit. Although they will want to be the party poopers, the Gunners should come through this game without too much trouble and record a win.

Dean McHugh
Dean McHughSports & Casino Betting Writer

My name is Dean, AKA The Stat Man. I am a Sports Betting Analyst who uses math, algorithms, probability and logic to create my posts. I live in the UK, on the outskirts of London but my background and heritage is Irish. I'm an avid Manchester United fan who sees following them as a religion. Sport is pretty much my life, as I live and breathe it daily. If there is something I don't know, it's probably not worth knowing as I have over 20 years industry experience and insight.

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