Sunderland vs Arsenal prediction, H2H and probable lineups, 8 November 2025

By Author On Nov 8, 2025

Sunderland welcome Arsenal to the Stadium of Light this weekend in what promises to be an exciting EFL Cup showdown. The Gunners are the clear favourites on paper, but the Black Cats have been tricky opponents at home lately and will fancy their chances of causing an upset.

Current Form

Sunderland:
The Black Cats have shown solid fighting spirit under Tony Mowbray this season. They’re unbeaten in four of their last five home games, including an impressive win over Norwich. Scoring hasn’t been much of a problem, but their defence tends to leak goals against top sides — something they’ll need to tighten up when facing Arsenal’s attacking firepower.

Arsenal:
Mikel Arteta’s men are flying high again, blending experience and young energy perfectly. The Gunners recently smashed Brentford 3-0 and are chasing silverware on multiple fronts. However, with Champions League commitments around the corner, rotation is likely — meaning some fringe players could get a run-out.

Head-to-Head (H2H)

Arsenal have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning six of their last seven meetings against Sunderland in all competitions. The Black Cats’ last win over Arsenal dates back to 2012, so history definitely leans the Gunners’ way.

However, cup games often have surprises, and Sunderland have pulled off upsets in this competition before — just ask Manchester United fans.

Team News

Sunderland:
Mowbray might stick with a balanced 4-2-3-1 setup. Star forward Jack Clarke is expected to lead the line again, while Roberts and Bellingham (yes, Jobe) will play key creative roles. Midfielder Dan Neil remains doubtful with a slight knock.

Arsenal:
Arteta will probably rotate heavily here. Expect Ramsdale to start in goal, while players like Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, and Fabio Vieira could get valuable minutes. Gabriel Jesus and Saka might be rested, but Trossard could feature to maintain match sharpness.

Probable Lineups:

Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O’Nien, Cirkin; Ekwah, Neil; Roberts, Bellingham, Clarke; Hemir.

Players to Watch

Jack Clarke (Sunderland): Quick, fearless, and in top form. If Sunderland score, he’s probably involved.
Leandro Trossard (Arsenal): Always delivers in cup games. His versatility makes him a constant threat.
Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal): Hungry to prove himself after a long injury spell. Could light things up.

Match Prediction

Sunderland will give it a real go at home — they usually do. But Arsenal’s squad depth and quality should see them through, even with a rotated side. Expect a competitive first half, but the visitors’ class might shine later on.

Prediction: Sunderland 1–3 Arsenal

Betting Tips

Both Teams to Score: ✅ Yes (Sunderland have scored in five straight home matches)
Over 2.5 Goals: ✅ Likely
Trossard Anytime Scorer: 🎯 Good value pick

Final Thoughts

Sunderland’s spirit and home crowd could make this a lively contest, but Arsenal’s second-string players are still a level above. The Gunners should march on to the next round, though it might not be as easy as some expect.