Arsenal v Sporting CP – Preview, Predictions, And Best Bets

Arsenal host Sporting CP at the Emirates on Thursday night with a place in the Europa League quarter-finals up for grabs. The first leg ended 2-2 a week ago in Portugal. The Gunners have won five league matches in a row. Sporting won over the weekend but still sit five points off the UEFA Champions League spots.

Arsenal Form

The Gunners are back in top form having overcome a four-match winless streak, three in the league and one in the FA Cup. After losing 3-1 to Man City at home, they relinquished the top spot in the table. They’ve since won five successive league matches. A 4-0 home win against Everton made it three EPL wins in a row to go five points clear.

Arsenal then came from 2-0 down after an hour to beat Bournemouth 3-2 after an 98th-minute winner. After drawing 2-2 in the first leg a week ago, they beat Fulham 3-0 over the weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the first half and went in three goals ahead, though it could have been 5-0 or 6-0 at the interval.

Arsenal Team News

Arteta had Gabriel Jesus back for the final 20-odd minutes at Fulham, a huge boost to the squad. He could again feature in the second half of this one. Eddie Nketiah remains a serious doubt but he could return to the bench. Midfielder Mohamed Elneny is out injured.

Arsenal are set to play close to their best XI but someone like Jorginho could come into the XI to protect Thomas Partey. The Gunners took off some key men early at Craven Cottage to keep them fresher for this one.

Arsenal Motivation

The Gunners are on a run of seven matches where they only have to leave London once. They have a chance to reach a quarter-final and motivation will be high.

The Crystal Palace game on Sunday is the top priority and Arsenal will hope to win this match in 90 minutes and not be forced to play extra time.

Sporting Lisbon Form

After losing twice in four games to FC Porto – in the Portuguese League Cup final and at home in the Premeira Liga – Sporting are unbeaten in seven matches. They have won five and drawn two of those, including a 3-0 win at home to Boavista on Sunday.

On the road, it’s six fixtures without losing and they’ve won five in a row. Their only dropped points saw a 2-2 draw at log leaders Benfica. The first leg saw them produce 2.20 xG from just 32% possession but they couldn’t hold onto a 2-1 lead. They’ve drawn 1-1 in North London already this season, vs Spurs, and drew 0-0 on their last visit to the Emirates.

Sporting Lisbon Team News

Ruben Amorim has a few issues to plan around. Veteran centre-back Sebastian Coates is suspended in the middle of the back three but key midfield Manuel Ugarte remains after missing the first leg. He will come into the XI for Hidemasa Morita, scorer of an own goal in the first leg, who is also suspended at the Emirates.

Matheus Reis is set to replace Coates. First-choice goalkeeper Antonio Adan should shake off a knock to start. Trincao and Paulinho were given partial rests over the weekend and should return to the starting XI.

Sporting Lisbon Motivation

Sporting will be hugely motivated to progress from this tie. A draw would be enough to take this to extra time, something they won’t be worried about avoiding (unlike Arsenal).

Sporting Lisbon doesn’t have a match scheduled this coming weekend so 100% attention goes to this one.

Key Stats

Arsenal have won 13 of their last 17 home matches this season (all competitions)

Arsenal have kept 4 clean sheets in a row at home in the Europa League

Arsenal scored 2+ goals in 13 of their last 16 home league matches

Sporting CP are winless in 9 European away matches vs English clubs (L5, D4)

Sporting’s Pedro Gonçalves has scored 5 goals in his last 6 away matches

Verdict

The Gunners should have far too much quality for Sporting CP, especially with Jesus back as an option after injury. It is worth checking the starting XI before kickoff to see exactly how many players are rested by Arteta and who comprises his front three for Goalscorer bets.

Best Bet: Arsenal win HT/win FT at 2.00
Alternative Bet: Arsenal to score over 2.5 Team Goals at 2.25
Alternative Bet: Arsenal to win to nil at 2.25
Build-a-Bet: Arsenal to win the first half + Trossard anytime goalscorer at 3.97

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis