Relegation contenders Sunderland will host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday. The Gunners currently lie in 4th spot in the table, as Manchester City won their match against Stoke City on Saturday.
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Whereas, the hosts are in the 18th spot, with just one point separating them from Norwich City and safety, with a game in hand. If Sunderland are to make the most of the game in hand, they will have to get some points from this game, and at the same time, visitors Arsenal will be hoping there are no more slip-ups going into the last four games of the season.
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Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD1.
Live Stream: www.starsports.com
Date and Time: Sunday, 24 April 2016 – 14.05 GMT (18.35 IST)
Venue: Stadium of Light.
Team News
Sunderland might have all their players available to them when they take on Arsenal depending on how the players recover. Midfielder Jeremain Lens is a big doubt for the game as he is out with a virus. DeAndre Yedlin is also doubtful as he missed training with an ankle problem. However, striker Fabio Borini has recovered from a shin problem. The big inclusion could be the return of Jack Rodwell who missed the game against Norwich through illness.
This will leave Allardyce with the option to play Duncan Watmore as the youngster impressed after coming on from the bench. If Yedlin is unable to recover, it will be Billy Jones who replaces him in the starting XI. Jermain Defoe will be expecting to start up front again and will look to score.
Arsenal come into the game with no new injuries and will be welcoming back their midfielder Jack Wilshere to the squad. Kieran Gibbs will also be available to manager Arsene Wenger after missing the game against West Brom.
Olivier Giroud might well again start the game as he played well in midweek. Welshman Aaron Ramsey also lasted the full 90 minutes against the Baggies and will again be expecting to make the starting XI.
Both Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky will be short for this game, however, Wenger revealed that they might feature in the next game. Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also returned to training but it will take him time to be back to full fitness. Therefore, a similar line-up to the one that started against West Brom maybe played by Wenger.
Probable Lineups
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Mannone; Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul, Van Aanholt; Kirchoff, Larsson; M’Vila, Cattermole, Khazri; Defoe.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Elneny; Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud.
Form
Sunderland come into this game having lost one, drawn three and won only one of their last five games in the Premier League. But the Black Cats have improved their form in recent matches and have accrued points, which are important points.
Their victory away at fellow relegation battling Norwich City was very important for the players and the managers and must have given them the confidence to turn the season around in the last four games.
However, the best part about the hosts is that they have kept their defence tight by conceding only 4 goals in their last five league games. The problem for Sam Allardyce lies up front where the Black Cats have failed to score in two of the five games and have only scored 5 goals, 3 of which came in the last game.
The Black Cats are nearing safety by accumulating 6 points in the last five games and will be looking to build on that.
Last 5 games: D-D-D-L-W (Last match: Norwich City 0-3 Sunderland)
Arsenal beat West Bromwich Albion in their last game in midweek and it was Alexis Sanchez, who scored both the goals for the Gunners. That victory saw them climb up to the third spot in the table, which was taken away yesterday from them by Manchester City who beat Stoke 4-0.
The Gunners have accumulated 11 points from their last five league games where they have won three games and drawn the other two against West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
They are still 10 points behind league leaders Leicester City and the title is out of their reach now. However, they will be looking to book their place in next season’s Champions League by winning all their remaining four games.
Arsene Wenger's men have been able to score 12 goals in their last five league games but the strikers are still not able to get on the scoresheet. Moreover, the defence has been good as they have kept three clean sheets in the last five games, and only conceded 4 goals.
Last 5 games: W-W-D-D-W (Last match: Arsenal 2-0 West Bromwich Albion)
Key Stats
- 1- The Black Cats have won only one of their last 24 Premier League games against Arsenal, having lost 15 and drawn 8.
- 12- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 consecutive league games against Sunderland in which they have won 8 and drawn 4 games.
- 7- Sunderland recorded their first win in seven games last weekend when they beat Norwich City.
- 4 & 3- Alexis Sanchez has scored 4 goals and assisted 3 goals in his last six league games.
- 9- Jermain Defoe has scored 9 goals in his 14 league appearances in 2016.
Key Battle
Olivier Giroud vs Younes Kaboul
The two Frenchmen will be up against each other when the two teams collide at the Stadium of Light on Sunday evening. This will be a physical battle in Sunderland’s half and the centre of the park as Giroud will always look to win headers in the air.
But it will be Kaboul’s job to win the headers off him to stop Arsenal from creating chances. The striker has been unable to score in the last 12 games in the Premier League and will be looking to get on the scoresheet or help his teammates with his link-up play. But the former Tottenham defender’s physicality might give him the edge.
With the game being so crucial for both the sides, this battle could well decide the balance of the game.
Prediction
After being held to a draw in two consecutive games after leading, Arsenal finally managed to get a win against West Bromwich Albion in midweek. But it was due to their two star players playing well – Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
The Chilean was in prime form and looked hungry. If the Gunners can produce a similar display then no one can stop them from winning. However, the Black Cats have been finding the right form in recent weeks and have good stats defensively.
This game could well be over inside the first 30 minutes if the Gunners find the space in Sunderland’s half. If Sunderland can hold on and frustrate the visitors, the game could even end with a Sunderland win.
Predicted score: Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal
Betting odds (bet365)
Sunderland – 4/1
Draw – 3/1
Arsenal – 8/11
