Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Gunners have lost three of their last four matches, but hold a 1-0 lead in this tie.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal are at risk of seeing their season go to pieces. They looked like possible quadruple winners are a run of 11 wins in 14 matches with three draws. They beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 on aggregate in the last round and were into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a nine-point lead over Man City in the league.

They’ve since lost the Carabao Cup final to City after a poor performance at Wembley. They went to Championship side Southampton and lost 2-1 in the FA Cup. A late 1-0 win in Portugal vs Sporting Lisbon was followed by a 2-1 loss at Saturday to Bournemouth as they missed four big chances. That defeat cut their lead to six points, whilst Man City have a game in hand.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta was without five players for the defeat last time out. Mikel Merino remains absent in midfield but Piero Hincapie has returned in defence. Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka are major doubts.

Martin Odegaard will need a late fitness test ahead of this one. Eberechi Eze or Kai Havertz could deputise in the number ten role otherwise.

Arsenal Motivation

The Gunners will be desperate to finish off this tie and reach the semi-finals. They will look for an early goal and then protect their lead.

Arsenal face Man City in a genuine title decider on Sunday. They will have one eye on that match and won’t want to use all their energy vs Sporting.

Sporting Lisbon Form

Sporting have lost just two of their last 18 matches. A run of 10 wins in 11 matches was ended by a surprise 2-2 draw away at Braga in the league. A shock 3-0 loss followed away to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League last-16. They turned the tie by winning 3-0 in 90 minutes and then scoring twice more in extra time to win 5-0.

They won 4-1 away to Alverca in the league and beat Santa Clara 4-2 at home. Last week’s first leg ended 1-0 to Arsenal as Sporting conceded a 91st-minute goal. They had limited Arsenal to 0.58 xG up to that point. On Saturday, Sporting won 1-0 away at Estrela de Amadora.

Sporting Lisbon Team News

Left winger Luis Guilherme is set to miss this match but key midfielder Morten Hjulmand is available after suspension. Chelsea-bound speedy winger Geovany Quenda is back from injury and could be a key weapon off the bench.

Veteran forward Nuno Santos is out with a hamstring injury. Greek international Fotis Ioannidis will also likely miss out altogether due to a knee injury.

Sporting Lisbon Motivation

Sporting have nothing to lose. Full attention will go on this match and trying to score first to give themselves a chance of progressing.

Rui Borges’ side are much weaker on their travels, but they will look to attack and try to see if Arsenal are distracted by their big upcoming league match.

Key Stats

• Arsenal have lost 3 of their last 4 matches (unbeaten in 14 before that)
• Arsenal have won 10 of their 11 matches in the Champions League this season (27 scored, 5 conceded)
• Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli has scored 6 goals in the UCL this season
• Sporting CP have lost just 2 of their last 18 matches
• Sporting have lost 3 of their 5 away Champions League matches this season (11 goals conceded)

Verdict

Arsenal progress with a clean sheet. A win to zero and a victory on the handicap are predicted.

Best Bet: Arsenal win to zero at 2.40

Goalscorer Tip: Gabriel Martinelli to score anytime at 3.55

Alternate Bet: Arsenal win (-1 goal handicap) at 2.35