Sporting CP vs Arsenal Prediction & Tips
We will have an interesting match this Thursday in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Europa League, when at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, the Portuguese team Sporting Lisbon receives the visit of Arsenal.
Ruben Amorim’s team is in a great moment and last weekend overcame Portimonense as visitors, thanks to Paulinho’s solitary goal with fifteen minutes to go.
The result allows the Leões to record six victories in their last seven league matches, to place fourth in the Primeira Liga, seven points behind second-placed FC Porto, in the fight for a place in the group stage of the Champions League 2023/24.
Sporting Lisbon finished third in their Champions League group, which earned them a playoff series in the Europa League, eliminating the Norwegian team Midtjylland, a series that was complicated by a 1-1 draw at home, but which they then won in Denmark (0-4).
For this duel, Amorim has only Daniel Bragança out of the team and, with a complicated squad, seeks to impose its home advantage, where the Lions have only two victories in their last five official matches.
For their part, Mikel Artera’s team is still firmly at the top of the Premier League where they have a five-point lead over Manchester City.
Last weekend, the Gunners beat AFC Bournemouth (3-2), in a match they were trailing 0-2. The victory takes Arsenal’s winning streak to four consecutive league victories.
The English team is now focusing on its participation in the Europa League, a competition in which it qualified directly after finishing first in its group, winning five games and losing just one.
Away from home the Gunners have two consecutive wins, both in the Premier League, while in the Europa League they won two of their three group stage matches, and are looking to keep it that way against Sporting Lisbon whom they faced in the 2018/19 group stage in a series where they won in Portugal (0-1) while in England they drew (0-0).
For this match Arteta is missing an injured Leandro Trossard, while Eddie Nketiah is doubtful.
Sporting CP – Arsenal FREE TIPS
OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
