Arsenal vs Sunderland Betting Odds - Fabregas leads ailing Gunners to road win

Arsenal are moving up the online betting ladder in the Premiership with a stunning offensive attack, but injuries have put a dent in their ability to go forward. The Gunners head to Sunderland this weekend without a few of their key players, but they still have their most important player, not to mention enough talent to win the match.

Arsenal vs Sunderland Betting Odds: Arsenal -180; Sunderland +450; Draw +26

WHAT: Soccer odds

WHEN: Saturday, November 21, 10:00 AM ET

WHERE: Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England

KEY STAT: Arsenal has won seven and drawn three of their last 10 against Sunderland

PICK: Arsenal -180, UNDER 3

Arsenal vs Sunderland betting odds maker breakdown: The Storyline
Arsenal sits five points behind Chelsea in second, tied with Manchester United, and the gunners’ ability to score makes them, arguably, the most entertaining team in the Premiership to watch. Meanwhile, Steve Bruce is Sunderland’s third manager in three years, and the team is currently eighth in the table, which may be overachieving. Arsenal needs to win this to keep up with Chelsea and company.

Betting Edge: Arsenal

Arsenal vs Sunderland betting odds maker breakdown: Offense
The Gunners lead the way with 36 goals scored, and if the Player of the Year were to be handed out right now, you’d have a hard time arguing against midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who leads the league with nine assists, and he has six goals as well. He pulls the strings in the Arsenal attack, and his passing is unrivalled. But he lost his partner as Robin van Persie will be out until January with an ankle injury. However, they still have Andrei Arvashin, third on the team with four goals.

Sunderland’s attack is led by Darren Bent’s eight goals, although he missed a penalty in a 2-0 loss against his former club, Tottenham before the international break. Bent’s speed is a perfect complement to the power of Kenwyne Jones, who has five goals. Andy Reid plays the Fabregas role for Sunderland, and like his younger counterpart, he has a wide passing range.

Betting Edge: Arsenal

Arsenal vs Sunderland betting odds maker breakdown: Defense
Arsenal has also been surprisingly strong at the back, given their style of play, and their 14 allowed goals is fourth in the Premiership. William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen have played every match for Arsenal, and Gallas scored the controversial goal that put France through to the World Cup on Wednesday (ironically, it was ex-Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s handball that set him up).

Sunderland has allowed 19 goals, which puts them in the bottom half of the table, and things could get worse as first-choice keeper Craig Gordon broke his arm against Tottenham. This means more time for Marton Fulop, while Phillip Bardsley is the only defender to play 10 games this year. That’s never good for a team’s sportsbook odds.

Betting Edge: Arsenal

Arsenal vs Sunderland betting odds maker breakdown: Notable Injuries
The Gunners have a lot of players on the training table: van Persie (ankle), Gael Clichy (back), Kieran Gibbs (ankle) and Nicklas Bendter (hernia) are all out, while Theo Walcott (knee) is doubtful to come back to the team. Abou Diaby (calf) is also a doubt.

Gordon (arm) and Lee Cattermole (knee) are both out for sure, while Bolo Zenden (hip) should be able to go.

Betting Edge: Sunderland

Arsenal vs Sunderland betting odds maker breakdown: Totals
Given Arsenal’s attacking prowess (they’ve scored 15 goals in their last five overall matches), this should be an easy choice for the over. But with so many injuries to Arsenal’s strikers like van Persie and Walcott, Fabregas needs targets. Meanwhile, Sunderland will be more than happy to put 10 players behind the ball and hit on the counterattack.

Pick: UNDER 3

Arsenal vs Sunderland betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick
Arsenal has won seven and drawn three of their last 10 against Sunderland, and even with all their injuries, they’ll have enough in Fabregas and Arvashin to snatch a goal, especially with Sunderland’s defensive problems. Arsenal’s defense is also strong enough to deal with Bent and Jones.

TODD’S PICK: Arsenal -180

For more sports betting tips before the stars hit the pitch, visit Todd in the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.