Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Gunners have lost their last two matches to miss out on two potential trophies. Sporting CP beat Bodo/Glimt 5-0 in their last match in this competition.

Sporting Lisbon Form

Sporting are having a strong season. They began a run of ten wins in 11 matches in January, with the only dropped points coming in a 1-1 draw at FC Porto. A 1-0 home win over Porto in the Taca de Portugal was followed by a surprise 2-2 draw at Braga as they fell behind in the title race. A shock 3-0 defeat followed away in Norway to Bodo/Glimt.

Sporting dramatically turned the tie around by winning 5-0 at home as they netted twice in extra time after having 38 shots and creating nine big chances. They’ve since won 4-1 at Alverca in the league and 4-2 at home to Santa Clara last Friday.

Sporting Lisbon Team News

Left winger Luis Guilherme is doubtful for this match. Key defensive midfielder Morten Hjulmand is suspended for this clash. Veteran forward Nuno Santos has a hamstring complaint and will miss out.

Greek international Fotis Ioannidis should shake off a foot complaint in the attack. Speedy right winger Geovany Quenda is a loss and has not played since 2025. Rafael Nel is set to drop to the bench with Luis Suarez getting the nod up front.

Sporting Lisbon Motivation

Sporting are an attacking side, with pace and creativity. They will take the game to Arsenal in front of their own fans.

Rui Borges’ side needs a first leg win here. They want something to take back to London next week and a draw is not enough.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal sit nine points clear in the league table, but they’ve had two terrible results in a row. They looked capable of a quadruple but were beaten 2-0 by Man City in the Carabao Cup final. On Saturday, they lost 2-1 at Championship side Southampton to exit the FA Cup.

Before those setbacks, their form was strong. They drew 1-1 away to Bayer Leverkusen and beat Everton 2-0 at home with two late goals. A 2-0 second-leg win over Leverkusen saw them reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta has several injuries to worry about. Mikel Merino is ruled out and both Gabriel and Piero Hincapie need late fitness tests. Leandro Trossard is back in training and will feature.

Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka have been ruled out for this match, but Declan Rice should shake off an injury to start this match. Eberechi Eze is set to miss out, but Martin Odegaard is fit to start.

Arsenal Motivation

The Gunners are seemingly running out of steam at the wrong time. They will go to Lisbon and look to avoid defeat, as they did in the last round in Germany.

Arteta’s side will be confident of winning the home leg so a 1-1 draw or similar from this first leg is a good result.

Key Stats

• Sporting CP have lost just 1 of their last 16 matches
• Sporting have won their 5 home Champions League matches this season
• Arsenal have lost their last 2 matches (11 wins in 14 before that)
• Arsenal have drawn 3 of their last 7 away matches
• Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres has scored 5 goals in his last 3 matches for club & country

Verdict

I see this being a tight match. A score draw looks like excellent value. Gyokeres is a good bet to score against his former club.

Best Bet: Draw at 3.60

Correct Score Tip: Sporting 1-1 Arsenal at 6.00

Goalscorer tip: Gyokeres to score anytime at 2.50