Saturday 11th February sees 8th place Sunderland host 6th place Arsenal at the stadium of light. The remarkable job Martin O’Neill is doing at Sunderland continued in the week as he guided his side into the 6th round of the FA Cup. Sunderland have lost just one of their last 11 games in all competitions, and have lost just 2 in 13 in under Martin O’Neill.

This has seen Sunderland top the Premier League form table with 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 lose in their last 8 games whereas Arsenal have 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 loses. Sunderland’s home record stands at 5 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses, but they have just one loss in their last 10 home league games. Arsenal’s away record stands at 4 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses, and they are without a win in their last 3 away games.

Taking all this in to account I think the 1.87 available for Sunderland on the asian handicap at + 0.5 with Betfair seems very generous. So if Sunderland win or draw it’s a winning bet.


Team News:

Sunderland:

Loan signings Wayne Bridge and Sotirios Kyrgiakos return to the Sunderland squad.
The former England full-back and the Greece central defender were ineligible for Wednesday's FA Cup fourth-round replay victory at Middlesbrough having not arrived on Wearside in time to be registered, although striker Nicklas Bendtner cannot play against his parent club under the terms of his loan agreement.
Defender Matt Kilgallon has returned to training after an ankle injury, but he is short of match fitness after five games on the sidelines, while Lee Cattermole (hamstring), David Vaughan (ankle), Wes Brown (knee) and Titus Bramble (Achilles/calf) are still out.


Possible Lineups:

Mignolet,
Bardsley, O'Shea, Turner, Richardson,
Larsson, Gardner, Colback, McClean,
Campbell, Sessègnon


Arsenal:

Arsenal could have defender Kieran Gibbs back in the squad after his recovery from groin problems.

Striker Marouane Chamakh has returned from the African Nations Cup, but Gervinho remains away as Ivory Coast prepare for the final.

Defenders Carl Jenkinson (back) and Andre Santos (ankle) are still out, along with midfielders Abou Diaby (hamstring) and Jack Wilshere (ankle). Emmanuel Frimpong has returned from his loan spell at Wolves, but will be out for the rest of the season after needing surgery on his knee.

Possible Lineups:

Szczesny,
Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Verm'len,
Walcott, Song, Arteta; Ramsey, Chamberlain,
Van Persie

Last 6 games (league):

Sunderland: WWWLWW

Arsenal: WDLLLW

Prediction: Sunderland 2 – 1 Arsenal

My Pick: Sunderland Win or Draw at 1.87 (13/15)

Outside Bet: Jack Colback to score first at 41 (40/1)

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