SUNDERLAND need a point to stay up against Arsenal on Wednesday night? Do they get it? We asked Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79).
Arsenal v Sunderland | Wednesday 19:45 | Sky Sports 1
Before the fun and games of the final day of the season on Sunday we’ve got this midweek tie. Arsenal need a win to maintain any hope of finishing second while Sunderland need just a point to secure survival.
Bookmakers are taking no chance with the London side and the Gunners are as short as 2/7 to win at the Emirates. It’s not a price that appeals to me.
Since Dick Advocaat surprisingly turned up at the Stadium Of Light in late-March results have improved. ‘The Little General’ has been in charge of seven games and lost just two of them. The last of those defeats was over a month ago.
Indeed Sunderland are now unbeaten in four matches and boast recent wins over Southampton and Everton to their name. They even managed to avoid defeat at the hands of the mighty Leicester on Saturday.
This of course though is a further step up. Arsenal have won 12 of their last 16 matches in the Premier League and shown no mercy to sides in the bottom half of the table.
A draw with Leicester on the final day of August and a 2-2 clash with Hull in October are the only occasions they’ve dropped points against current bottom half sides this season. That’s impressive.
One note of concern for Arsenal backers is way their performance levels have dropped in recent weeks. A goalless draw against Chelsea was predictable but a home defeat to Swansea last week was certainly not. Even on Sunday against Manchester United they looked flat.
I expect Sunderland to sit deep and try and secure the point they need to stay up. Arsenal may find it a toil overcoming them but should find a way through.
It’s the Correct Score markets that I like here. I’m backing Arsenal wins of 1-0 and 2-0 at odds of 7/1 and 11/2 respectively. Dutching these two pays out more than Arsenal win to nil and Under 2.5 Goals so count me in.
Best Bets
Arsenal v Sunderland – Arsenal to win 1-0 (7/1 Bet365)
Arsenal v Sunderland – Arsenal to win 2-0 (11/2 William Hill)
12/1 Juventus & Arsenal Double
New players to Paddy Power can grab an enhanced double on Juventus and Arsenal winning on Wednesday.
The Italian side are in action in the Coppa Italia Final.
TOPICS English Football Tips Football Premier League Tips
