
The Stadium of Light will be packed on Saturday as Sunderland welcome Premier League leaders Arsenal . The surprise package this season sit in 4th place after a blistering start back in the top flight, although the Black Cats will face their greatest test to date.
Can Sunderland spring a surprise? Read the thoughts of our Premier League expert Nathan Joyes as he provides his best bet for the match.
Not many - if any - would have predicted Sunderland to be sat in the Champions League spots after 10 Premier League matches - but it's also difficult to argue with their position.
Since their long awaited return to the Premier League, Sunderland have been nothing short of excellent. Their investments are paying off and key experienced players, including former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, are helping their younger teammates to get over the line.
The Black Cats head into this match on the back of a three match unbeaten run - which saw them beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. With just one defeat in their last eight, Sunderland will look to maintain their unbeaten home record (W3 D2) - but a tough task awaits.
Arsenal look like real title contenders. Shining across all competitions, Mikel Arteta's side are six points clear at the top of the Premier League and have won their last 10 matches.
More impressively, the Gunners have kept nine clean sheets out of a possible 10 - only conceding once away to Newcastle in their 2-1 win at St. James' Park.
A midweek trip to Czech Republic saw them run out 3-0 winners against Slavia Prague in the Champions League. Despite a few changes, Arteta's side showed the same defensive resilience and were as deadly as ever at the other end of the pitch.
This looks to be Arsenal's season - even after 10 matches - but it's games like this that they need to show why they are worthy contenders for the title.
These two sides haven't played against each other since 2021, where Arsenal ran out 5-1 winners in the EFL Cup. Prior to that, it was a comfortable league double back in the 2016/17 season.
In fact, Sunderland haven't beaten Arsenal since 2012 - they have faced each other 12 times since that rare victory with Arsenal winning nine of those matches.
Sunderland's unbeaten home run is on the line while Arsenal are looking to win 11 matches in a row. Something has to give - but who will come out on top?
Nathan Joyes has taken a look at the Premier League odds and provided his best bet below.
Sunderland (17/2 with Betfred) are the clear second favourites. It would take a brave man to bet against Arsenal (2/5 with Betano) at present - but all good things do come to an end eventually.
Now that's not to say Sunderland are going to be that team, but having yet to lose at home, they can certainly cause Arteta's side some issues.
Admittedly, home matches vs Everton, Wolves, Brentford and Aston Villa aren't the toughest of opponents - perhaps ruling out the last team mentioned - and Arsenal may just be a cut above all of those.
However, Sunderland have only lost once this season and they did beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Throw in the fact Arsenal had to travel midweek and are soon to be travelling north, they met not be capable of blowing the hosts away.
On their travels in the league, Arsenal may have won all but one, but only Burnley away did they win by a two goal margin. It's a little dangerous, but Sunderland on the +1.5 Handicap line at 7/10 is better than backing Arsenal at 2/5.
TIP: Sunderland +1.5 Asian Handicap at 7/10 with BetMGM.
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