Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side travel to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon in a crucial Champions League clash on Tuesday evening.
The Gunners will be looking to build on their morale-boosting Premier League win over Nottingham Forest, while Sporting will be eager to bounce back from the departure of their former coach Ruben Amorim.
Match Preview
Sporting Lisbon have been in scintillating form of late, winning their last nine matches in all competitions and scoring an impressive 31 goals in the process.
Under the interim management of Joao Pereira, the Portuguese giants have continued their strong start to the season, which has seen them keep pace with the perfect Liverpool in the Champions League group stage.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have endured a mixed start to the campaign, with their recent 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest ending a four-game winless run in the Premier League.
Arteta will be hoping that the return of key players like Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice can help the Gunners rediscover their early-season form.
Sporting Lisbon have been the epitome of consistency in recent weeks, winning their last six matches in all competitions. Their most recent outing saw them thrash Amarante 6-0 in the Taca de Portugal, with rumored Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres among the goalscorers.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been somewhat erratic, with a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League followed by the victory over Nottingham Forest.
Arteta will be hoping that his side can build on their weekend success and secure a positive result in Lisbon.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have met twice in European competition, with Arsenal emerging victorious on both occasions.
In the 2022-23 Europa League, the Gunners eliminated Sporting on penalties after the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate.
Team News
Arsenal will be without the long-term trio of Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney, while Sporting are set to be without Nuno Santos and Pedro Goncalves.
Arteta could hand a start to Declan Rice, while Sporting may turn to Marcus Edwards in the absence of Goncalves.
Predicted Starting Line-ups:
Sporting Lisbon: (3-4-3)
Israel;
Reis, Inacio, Diomande;
Quenda, Morita, Hjulmand, Araujo;
Trincao, Gyokeres, Edwards
Arsenal: (4-3-3)
Raya;
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori;
Odegaard, Partey, Rice;
Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Prediction
This promises to be an intriguing encounter between two in-form sides. Sporting’s attacking prowess, led by the likes of Gyokeres and Trincao, will pose a significant challenge for the Gunners’ defense.
However, the return of Odegaard and the potential inclusion of Rice could give Arsenal the edge in midfield.
Ultimately, a draw seems the most likely outcome, with both teams canceling each other out in an entertaining affair.
- Score Prediction: Sporting Lisbon 2-2 Arsenal
Betting Tips
- Both teams to score: Given the attacking quality on display, this seems a safe bet.
- Over 2.5 goals: With Sporting’s free-scoring form and Arsenal’s recent goal-scoring exploits, there should be plenty of action in front of goal.
- Gyokeres to score anytime: The Swedish striker has been in excellent form and could be a threat to the Gunners’ backline.