Preview
Arsenal look to edge sporting Sporting CP in second leg encounter. These clubs have a rich history of success and passionate supporters. While they may not have faced each other frequently, their encounter in the 2018-19 Europa League was memorable for both clubs.
Now that they have faced each other in the 2022-23 season with a thrilling 2-2 draw over the first leg, it’s now time for the second leg at the Emirates.
Sporting CP and Arsenal produced one of the most exciting clashes of last Thursday’s Europa League program as they drew 2-2 in the first leg of their round of 16 matchups in Lisbon.
Arsenal is a big favorite ahead of the reverse outing in front of their fans at Emirates Stadium but they will need to be at their very best to advance past a very tricky rival here. Sporting CP have shown their qualities once again last week when they refused to give up despite shipping an early opener against such a strong opposition and the current Premier League leader.
Form Guide: Sporting CP
This week, Sporting CP showed their skills again when they refused to give up despite losing an early goal to a formidable opponent and the current Premier League leader.
During the majority of the season, Sporting struggled in the Portuguese league. They are 15 points behind league leader Benfica primarily due to this. The away side has won five of their past six games, so they are still performing well right now. Sporting defeated Boavista 3-0 at home in the previous match.
Sporting has now won five of its previous six games overall and drawn one. They have scored at least two goals in five of these last six games.
Form Guide: Arsenal
In the last 20 years, Arsenal is having its greatest season. With five points more than Manchester City, they are in first place in the Premier League. For Mikel Arteta’s team, winning the championship with the English national team is unquestionably a top priority.
Yet, they are also performing well in the Europa League. Five of the previous six games saw Arsenal triumph. They defeated Fulham 3-0 on the road last weekend. The visitors had already scored all three goals in the first half, making it a simple victory for them.
Arsenal is a strong offensive team. In their last four games, they have scored 12 goals.
Arsenal has also confirmed their impressive attacking form by storming past Fulham 0-3 on Sunday afternoon at Craven Cottage.
How the game could go
We are likely to witness another goal fest when Arsenal and Sporting CP face off against one another on Thursday night because both teams have been scoring goals like crazy lately.
The Spaniard’s team is currently giving up too many easy goals, as Arteta hinted after the first leg, and a reorganized defense could not have much luck against a lethal Sporting frontline.
Yet, Sporting’s offensive efforts may go in vain against an Arsenal team that is the master of overcoming hardship because Morita and Coates are out. Thus, we are picking the Gunners to secure their spot in the round of eight.
Betting Predictions
BTTS (YES)
We are again going with BTTS for the match between Sporting and Arsenal. It seems that the home team’s goal has always been to outscore their opponents by one goal, regardless of the outcome as long as it is a victory. They are fully committed to winning the Premier League championship, therefore this way of thinking is ideal for them. Even if Arsenal is frequently mentioned, it is rare for them to be considered one of the favorites to win an international title. Mikel Arteta and his team are, of course, also considering some European glory. Arsenal had five BTTS-covered games in the most recent ten games in all competitions, while Sporting had four in the same amount of games. Bet9ja have 1.98, 1xbet have 2.01 and Paripesa have 2.01 odds.
Over 2.5 Goals
This Arsenal vs. Sporting prediction is based on how the London team has performed at home, regardless of how the first leg concluded. Five of Arsenal’s seven home games since the start of the year concluded with more than 2.5 goals. With 17 games this season alone featuring more than two goals scored, Arsenal is tied for second in the Premier League. With the same number of games that went beyond the threshold in question, Sporting is the best “over” team in Portugal. The Lisbon team had seven away games with over 2.5 goals in the 17 games. Only two of Arsenal’s eleven home games had fewer than three goals scored. Bet9ja have 1.65 odds, Paripesa have 1.74, and 1xbet have 1.74 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Sporting CP)
Pedro Goncalves
Pedro Goncalves is without a question Sporting CP’s most impressive player. Goncalves is by far the most important performer for Sporting, contributing to 18 goals. He helped Sporting CP a lot in their last encounter with Arsenal and posed a major threat to the Gunners. He’ll be looking forward to adding more goals to his tally. He’ll be a player to watch out for. Bet9ja have 5.50 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 4.75.
Paulinho
The forward has recorded three consecutive goals this season and seems to be on an impressive run. He scored a goal against Arsenal and another in the win last weekend. This would be another opportunity for the striker to help his side to a famous win at the Emirates. He will be helped by his teammates and he looks likely to score today Bet9ja have 6.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 4.50.
Anytime Goalscorer (Arsenal)
Bukayo Saka
The winger has been an outstanding player for the Gunners this season, having already tallied 11 goals and contributed 9 assists. He is a difficult player for defenders to contain due to his extraordinary speed and dribbling abilities, and it is anticipated that he will create issues for the Sporting defenders. Moreover, he has three goals in his last five games, and his performance will be essential to Arsenal’s success. He was a key player in Arsenal’s win over Fulham in their recent EPL tie. Bet9ja have 2.75 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.40 odds.
Gabriel Martinelli
The Brazilian has continued to be instrumental to this Arsenal team and their impressive run already this season. Top scorer for his side in the Premier League you can see why he is a favorite pick today. He has made a major improvement to his game this season already. He was on the scoresheet against Fulham and had a great game against Sporting too. We can as well see him repeating that today. Bet9ja have 2.75 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.40.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
