Sunderland vs Arsenal prediction and odds ahead of Premier League clash

The so-called Granit Xhaka derby takes center stage at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, as Sunderland and Arsenal meet in a Premier League clash with top-four implications.

The in-form hosts sit just seven points and three places behind Mikel Arteta’s side, and present a unique challenge—no team has managed to defeat the Black Cats at home in the Premier League this season.

Arsenal’s midweek Champions League encounter with Slavia Prague went exactly as expected: a Gunners victory, a clean sheet, and a standout performance from emergency striker Mikel Merino, who stepped in for Viktor Gyokeres and delivered a brace. With Merino’s double, a Bukayo Saka penalty, and a VAR-overturned Slavia spot kick, Arsenal achieved a remarkable feat—a 3-0 win that made them the first English top-flight team in 105 years to win eight consecutive matches in all competitions without conceding a goal.

The seventh win in that streak came on the road, as Arsenal dispatched Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor to maintain a six-point cushion over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, a lead they will hold through the international break. Arsenal, who last conceded against Newcastle United back in September, are now aiming for a club-record fifth straight Premier League win with a clean sheet—a feat last achieved in the George Graham era of 1987.

Graham, renowned for his defensive philosophy, would appreciate another impressive statistic: Arsenal have faced an average of just 1.9 shots on target per game in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, the lowest ever recorded in the competition’s history.

While Arsenal’s defense has been nearly impenetrable, Sunderland’s Robin Roefs was forced to pick the ball out of his net on Monday night. Still, Regis Le Bris’s men remain unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season. Iliman Ndiaye’s fourth goal of the campaign threatened that record, but Granit Xhaka’s first league goal for Sunderland—albeit with a deflection—secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw and extended their unbeaten home run.

Sunderland have outperformed the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Newcastle so far, holding onto the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot. A win on Saturday could see them climb into the top three, especially with either Manchester City or Liverpool guaranteed to drop points in their blockbuster Sunday showdown.

Only Crystal Palace, Brighton, Bournemouth, and Arsenal themselves remain unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season, and Sunderland have found the net in every one of their five home fixtures—suggesting Arsenal’s usually rock-solid defense may face a stern test.

The Stadium of Light was also the scene of Sunderland’s last league victory over Arsenal, a 1-0 win dating back to 2009. Since then, Arsenal have gone unbeaten in 15 consecutive top-flight meetings with the Black Cats.

Sunderland vs Arsenal Betting Tips

• Arsenal to win and both teams to score - 3/1 (Betfred)
• Bukayo Saka to score anytime - 19/10 (Betfred)

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