Arsenal v Sunderland predictions: Arsenal's hot streak looks set to continue

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Arsenal v Sunderland in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Tuesday

Best bet

Arsenal to win to nil
1pt 5-6 Betfair, Power

Team news

Arsenal
Takehiro Tomiyasu (muscle strain), Sead Kolasinac (ankle), Pablo Mari and Albert Sambi Lokonga (both positive COVID-19 tests) are sidelined. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been overlooked for the last three matches.

Sunderland
Corry Evans (thigh), Niall Huggins (back), Jordan Willis, Aidan McGeady (both knee), Dennis Cirkin (groin) and Luke O'Nien (shoulder) are ruled out and Leon Dajaku (knock) and Arbenit Xhemajli (match fitness) are unlikely to feature.

Match preview

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lifted the FA Cup less than eight months after his appointment in December 2019 and he can move closer to securing a second piece of silverware by steering the Gunners to victory over League One highflyers Sunderland in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

The last two years have not been entirely smooth ride for Arteta, who was under pressure after Arsenal lost their opening three league games of the season.

But the Gunners have turned their season around and are four points clear of fifth-placed West Ham after Saturday's 4-1 success at injury-ravaged Leeds.

They could have won by more goals against Leeds, who handed appearances to five of their development squad, and it is likely they will face stiffer resistance from Sunderland, despite the two-division gap.

Sunderland's task is difficult but their manager Lee Johnson has recent experience of steering an EFL club to the League Cup semi-finals.

Johnson led Bristol City to a famous 2-1 victory over Jose Mourinho's Manchester United in the 2017-18 quarter-finals.

The Robins went on to suffer a 5-3 aggregate loss to Manchester City, but their performances were a credit to themselves and Johnson, who clearly relishes taking on the Premier League's big guns.

He will attempt to make life difficult for Arsenal but Sunderland are hampered by significant injury problems with as many as eight senior players set to miss out.

Winger Leon Dajaku was their latest casualty – suffering a knock during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Ipswich – although Denver Hume, Dajaku's first-half replacement, made a timely return from a seven-week layoff.

It was a demanding contest at Portman Road and, given the lack of options to switch things around, Johnson may be forced to ask for another big effort from the same players.

Arsenal appear to be in a different situation after naming a strong squad at Leeds, and Arteta may opt to rest a few of his key men.

He has used his squad successfully in previous rounds with the Gunners cruising to victories over West Brom (6-0), AFC Wimbledon (3-0) and Leeds (2-0) and their run of wins and clean sheets could continue.

Sunderland will look to be well-organised and hope to stay in the game for as long as possible, but Arsenal's greater fitness and quality should take over at some point, paving the way for a comfortable success.

Key stat

Arsenal have won their last five home games without conceding a goal.

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