MX23RW : Tuesday, April 16 13:58:24| >> :120:7938:7938:

Preview: Arsenal vs. Sunderland

Sports Mole looks ahead to Wednesday night's sole match in the Premier League as Arsenal and Sunderland play their game in hand on the rest.

The last Premier League game before the final day of the season takes place at the Emirates on Wednesday night as Arsenal host Sunderland.

The duo have a game in hand on the rest and both still have plenty to play for, with Arsenal trying to secure a top-three place and Sunderland hoping to beat the drop.



Arsenal

Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrates scoring his second goal with Francis Coquelin during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on March 21, 2015© Getty Images

Make it 11 seasons without a Premier League title for the Gunners, who have enjoyed some of the best form this season but not quite had the consistency to match fellow Londoners Chelsea.

However, it's now 19 seasons in a row that the North London side have finished in the top four. They are guaranteed to be in the Champions League next season, but a win here will ensure a top-three spot which secures automatic entry to the group stage.

Sunday's 1-1 draw at Manchester United also means that one more point will all but seal third place because of their superior goal difference over the Red Devils.

A week ago it looked like Arsenal would finish second as they were on a run of nine wins in 10 league games, but a surprise defeat at home to Swansea last Monday and yesterday's draw at Old Trafford means that the Gunners must win their last two games and hope that Manchester City lose at home to Southampton on Sunday to snatch a runners-up spot.

For the first time in over 10 years in the Premier League, Arsene Wenger's side failed to have a shot of any kind in the first half against United, but they improved after the interval and earned a point thanks to Tyler Blackett's own goal as the defender deflected Theo Walcott's cross-cum-shot into the far corner.

Ander Herrera's opener at Old Trafford was the first time since New Year's Day that the Gunners had conceded in the first half in the league. In total this season, they have conceded just 13 times in the opening 45 - the fewest of anyone in the division.

Recent Premier League form: WWDWLD
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWLD



Sunderland

Jermain Defoe of Sunderland celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Steven Fletcher (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Sunderland at Goodison Park on May 9, 2015© Getty Images

At the start of May Sunderland were in the bottom three and in real danger of being relegated back to the Championship after eight seasons in the top flight.

Although they're not yet safe, a haul of seven points out of a possible nine since the start of the final month has put Dick Advocaat's side within a point of guaranteeing their Premier League status.

However, their last two games are both away at Arsenal and champions Chelsea, so it's likely that they will not add to their points total of 37. If both games are lost and Hull City beat Manchester United on the final day of the season, Sunderland could go down.

They would have secured safety with a win against Leicester City on Saturday, but a 0-0 draw meant that it was the Foxes dancing wildly at the final whistle having guaranteed another season in the top flight.

No side has drawn as many games as Sunderland (8) at home, while Burnley are the only side to score fewer goals in front of their own fans.

Like Arsenal, Sunderland have taken 11 points out of a possible 18 from their last six games. Ignoring the 4-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace, Advocaat's men have conceded just two other goals since the end of March.

Recent form: WLDWWD



Team News

Theo Walcott of Arsenal celebrates as his cross deflects off of Tyler Blackett of Manchester United for an own goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 17, 2015© Getty Images

Mathieu Debuchy and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain out of action for the hosts, while Danny Welbeck could return after missing the last three games with a knee injury.

Walcott will hope to start after making an impact on Sunday, but Wenger could name an unchanged XI and if he does, it will be the seventh game in a row that he has done so in the league - the first time he has ever done this as Gunners boss.

Advocaat, meanwhile, is likely to be without Billy Jones after he was forced off late on against Leicester. Anthony Reveillere took his place at right-back and could start at the Emirates.

Elsewhere, Jack Rodwell is close to returning from a hamstring strain, while Steven Fletcher could get the nod over Danny Graham in attack.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla; Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis; Giroud

Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Pantilimon; Reveillere, O'Shea, Coates, Van Aanholt; Bridcutt, Cattermole, Larsson; Defoe, Fletcher, Wickham

Referee: Anthony Taylor



Head To Head

Arsenal have won the last four meetings between the two sides and not suffered defeat to the Black Cats in the last 10 Premier League encounters, winning seven times.

The reverse fixture in October was settled by Alexis Sanchez, who pounced on a pair of sloppy Sunderland errors to score two of his 16 league goals so far this season.

The Gunners have been winning at both half time and full time in their last four matches against Sunderland.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland

Although a draw suits both sides, Arsenal have far more quality and will be keen to get back to winning ways after a pair of below-par displays against Swansea and United. Sunderland haven't won away at Arsenal since 1983 and we can't see that run coming to an end here.



ID:223580: cacheID:223580:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11191:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Swansea player Bafetimbi Gomis (c) heads the second Swansea goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Arsenal at Liberty Stadium on November.9, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Arsenal vs. Swansea City
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!