Sporting vs. Arsenal live stream, prediction: How to watch Europa League online, TV channel, odds
Arsenal start their Europa League knockout rounds on Thursday and travel to Lisbon for a potentially challenging game against a side whose fourth-place finish in the Liga Portugal belies the danger they pose to the Gunners could represent. Ruben Amorim’s side have already stunned half of north London, taking four points from their two Champions League group stage games against Tottenham and winning in style at Midtjylland to secure their place in the last 16.
Mikel Arteta’s side won five of their six group stage games before Christmas to secure top spot in their Europa League group ahead of PSV Eindhoven. As Premier League leaders, they will be many people’s favorites if they win this competition straight away, but will their manager be tempted to weaken his side and focus his resources on the domestic struggle with Manchester City? Here’s how to watch the game and what you need to know:
How to see and odds
- Date: Thursday, March 9 | Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Jose Alvalade – Lisbon, Portugal
- TV and live stream: Outstanding+
- Opportunities: sports +240; Draw +230; Arsenal +115 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Featured Game | Sporting CP vs Arsenal
storylines
Sporty: Whilst Arsenal will of course be heavily focused on domestic priorities, Amorim also cannot afford to turn the ball away in league play as Sporting face a massive battle to secure their place in the Champions League by a top 3 finish in the league to qualify next season. A slow start to the season means that despite winning six of the last seven, they are still five points behind third-placed Braga to close before a weekend clash with Boavista.
Sporting have never scored in their previous four encounters with Arsenal but this time they will at least have insider knowledge in the form of Hector Bellerin, the former Gunners right-back who will be given a warm welcome at Emirates Stadium next week.
Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus’ return to full training on Wednesday was a welcome one for Arteta, who certainly won’t play on his star striker’s fitness. There is a significant attacking headache for Arsenal, whose late 3-2 win over Bournemouth on Saturday came at the expense of Leandro Trossard, who picked up a groin injury in the first half. Eddie Nketiah’s ankle injury is so serious he has had to wear protective boots, meaning Gabriel Martinelli could start up front for the Gunners.
Matt Turner is among the fringe players who could appear on Thursday and it seems likely Thomas Partey will be rested, but Arteta is not one to turn his side en masse. Granit Xhaka, rested for Saturday’s Premier League win, could be offered a place, while Jakub Kiwior, signed from Spezia in January, will make his debut.
forecast
This could prove quite difficult for Arsenal, who would understand if the focus shifted to Sunday’s trip to Fulham. CHOOSE: Sporting 2, Arsenal 1