We simulated Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal to get a Europa League score prediction
Arsenal’s Europa League knockout campaign begins on Thursday when the Gunners take on Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16.
After five wins and one defeat in the Europa League group stage, Arsenal automatically qualified for the round of 16 draw, meaning they were not involved in the Round of 32 matches that took place last month. Sporting Lisbon were eliminated from the Champions League meaning they had to beat Denmark’s Midtjylland to secure their place in the last 16 and set up a tasty draw against the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s side go into the duel with one of their biggest wins of the season so far. Reiss Nelson was instrumental in Arsenal beating Bournemouth 3-2 in the Premier League, two goals down. The Gunners last met Sporting five years ago in the Europa League group stage, winning 1-0 away before drawing 0-0 at the Emirates.
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So, could Arsenal draw first blood in the Europa League round of 16? Let’s take a look.
Result of Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation we used FIFA 23 and updated the teams with the latest injuries and suspensions. Sporting Lisbon stadium is not available in FIFA 23, so the game was played at Emirates Stadium.
We predict that the hosts could play in a 3-4-2-1 formation with the following formation: Adam; Diomande, Coates, Inácio; Esgaio, Ugarte, Morita, Santos; Pote, Edwards; Chermiti.
We predict the Gunners could be set up in a 4-3-3 formation with the following line-up: lathe; Tomiyasu, Holding, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Vieira, Xhaka; Nelson, Martinelli, Smith Rowe.
Arsenal looked dangerous in the first half, but despite all the opportunities they had up front, they remained shaky in defence. After going into the break in full force, Arteta’s side managed to score the opening goal through Fabio Vieira early in the second half.
With Arsenal camped on the edge of the Sporting box, a one-two between Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli saw the latter invade the box. The Brazilian put the ball down Vieira’s path and the midfielder drilled a powerful shot into the far post to put the Gunners ahead.
Arsenal dominated for most of the game but looked vulnerable at the back and a misplaced pass from Rob Holding allowed the hosts to level, with Marcus Edwards intercepting the wayward ball and beating Matt Turner from close range. It was an unexpected setback for the Gunners, but they restored their lead moments later when Martinelli got on the scoresheet.
When Sporting played a high line, they were expropriated in midfield and Granit Xhaka hoisted a ball over the top of Portugal’s back line to put Martinelli on target. The Brazilian crossed his defender before curling his shot into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-1 for Arsenal.
The Gunners looked set to start the second leg with a 2-1 win as they led with a minute remaining, but another defensive error saw the Portuguese equalize in the 94th minute. As the Gunners maintained possession, a risky pass from William Saliba was intercepted by Manuel Ugarte and the midfielder charged into the box.
After passing Saliba, the Uruguayan fired into the top corner of the net and the first leg ended evenly.
FIFA 23 Predicted Result: Sporting Lisbon 2-2 Arsenal
Here are the full-time match stats:
FIFA 23 predicts Arsenal could exit Lisbon with a 2-2 draw in the simulation. The Gunners were great up front but lacking at the back as their heavily altered back line conceded two weak goals as they were pushed back twice.
What do you think the final result will be between Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon? Let us know in the comments.
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