Sporting vs Arsenal Prediction and Betting Tips
Sporting host Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 16 at the Estádio José Alvalade on Thursday.
The hosts secured their spot in this round thanks to a 5-1 aggregate win over Midtjylland in the knockout round playoffs. Arsenal finished Group A of the Europa League top of the table and qualified for the knockout stages after missing out on European football for the first time in 26 years last season.
The hosts have won their last four games in all competitions and have kept a clean sheet in their last three games as well. In their last game, Paulinho’s second-half goal helped them to a 1-0 away win against Portimonense in the Primeira Liga on Saturday.
Arsenal have also won their last four games in all competitions. In their last game, they recorded an impressive comeback win over Bournemouth, with Reiss Nelson scoring the winning goal deep into injury time.
Mikel Arteta’s men fell back by two goals in the 57th minute but managed to stage a strong comeback with goals from Thomas Partey, Ben White and Reiss Nelson.
Sporting vs Arsenal Head to head and key numbers
- The two teams have met four times so far, with a couple of encounters in the group stage of the 2018-19 Europa League and two encounters in the former Fairs Cup.
- The visitors are unbeaten in these games and have recorded a number of wins, while the remaining two games ended goalless.
- Interestingly, the hosts didn’t score in those games.
- Arsenal had the second-best defensive record in the Europa League group stage, conceding three goals in six games.
- The hosts have scored 10 goals in their last four games in all competitions, while the visitors have scored 12 goals in the same period.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six meetings against Portuguese sides, while the hosts have progressed to the next round in their last six encounters with English sides in European competition.
- Sporting have lost five of their last nine home games in Europe (W3 U1), conceding 18 goals.
Sporting vs Arsenal Prediction
Lees looked solid in the knockout rounds playoffs with a 5-1 aggregate win and will look to continue that form in this game. They have only won once in their last three home games.
The Gunners had an impressive run in the Europa League group stage, recording five wins and just one loss. They have back-to-back wins in their last two away games and should be in for a solid game.
Both teams go into the game on four-game winning streaks and are expected to put in good records. Arsenal will play their third game in nine days so fatigue will be a factor. Still, they have enough roster depth to take home at least a point from the game.
Forecast: Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Sporting vs Arsenal Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – draw
Tip 2: Goals – Over/Under 2.5 Goals – Over 2.5
Tip 3: Pedro Gonçalves can score or assist at any time – Yes
Tip 4: At least one goal in the second half – Yes