Arsenal-Sporting CP is a Europa League round of 16 return match played on Thursday at 9pm: TV, line-ups, predictions
In Portugal, a week ago, Arsenal and Sporting CP decided to face each other with no lack of spectacle or emotion. It was a non-stop, no-holds-barred, chequered match between two teams who favour an offensive type of football, coached by two young, highly-skilled coaches, Mikel Arteta and Ruben Amorim.
Two goals in each half in the incredible match at the Alvalade stadium, which ended 2-2: the Gunners took the lead through Saliba, then the green-and-whites – also encouraged by their warm fans – managed to turn it around first through Inacio and then Paulinho; Arsenal’s final equaliser finally came thanks to an unlucky own-goal by the Japanese Morita. It was not a full-bodied turnover that was made by the Basque coach, who at the end of the day showed that he was also aiming to win the Europa League despite the fact that in his homeland he is playing for the title in an increasingly gripping head-to-head with his mentor Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. On Sunday, the current Premier League leaders scrambled Fulham in the London derby (0-3) to maintain their five-point lead over the Citizens. Five wins in the last six games for Arteta’s side: with the exception of the Leicester trip, the Gunners have never scored less than two goals in this streak.
Sporting hunting for a feat
Sporting are inevitably called upon to pull off the feat. Only Manchester City and Brighton have been able to conquer the Emirates Stadium this season between league and domestic cups. And the Portuguese will have to do just that if they are to nab qualification.
Amorim
Amorim’s men meanwhile are finding the right continuity in the Primeira Liga to continue their comeback towards third place, occupied by Braga. Thanks to their resounding 3-0 win over Boavista, they have kept the gap on the red and white, who currently remain +5. Sporting have not reached the Europa League quarter-finals since the 2017-18 season but their last victory on English soil dates back to 2005, when they got the better of Middlesbrough in the then UEFA Cup. Arteta will be without Nketiah and Elneny, but could give the convalescent Gabriel Jesus a few minutes in the game. Amorim’s colleague Amorim, who has to do without the disqualified Morita and Coates, has a few more worries: in place of the Japanese player is the returning Ugarte, while Reis will take the midfielder’s place.
The Prediction
Two healthy teams face off and could make for a thrilling contest like the first leg, with at least three goals in total expected on the London night. Arsenal should be able to get the better of Sporting this time around and close out the game in the 90 minutes.
Arsenal v Sporting CP
Probably the line-up for Arsenal v Sporting CP
- ARSENAL (4-3-3): Turner; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Partey, Vieira; Nelson, Trossard, Smith Rowe.
- SPORTING CP (3-4-3): Adan; St. Juste, Inacio, Reis; Esgaio, Ugarte, Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos; Edwards, Paulinho, Trincao.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
