Verdict: Arsenal win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 9/4
Bookmaker: Unibet
Looking to punch their Europa League quarter-final ticket on Thursday night, Arsenal will welcome Sporting Lisbon to the Emirates.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have been disappointed after settling for a 2-2 draw when they made the trip out to Portugal last week, Mikel Arteta’s young squad certainly laid down another domestic marker a few days ago. Eventually cruising their way to a routine 3-0 romp away at Fulham, the Gunners are on course to make real Premier League history this season. Holding a five-point buffer over defending champions Manchester City, Arsenal are inching towards a first domestic crown since 2004. With the mood around the Emirates at a red-hot high, Arteta’s side are also tipped as a major Europa League contender this year. Bouncing back from their brief blip when opening February, Thursday’s hosts are in the midst of a six-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Bagging seven strikes in their back-to-back Premier League victories in north London, Arsenal will be looking to make a European statement in the capital.
Team News
Arsenal will once again be without the duo of Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny on Thursday night. Marking his return from a long-term knee injury last weekend with a cameo appearance at Craven Cottage, Gabriel Jesus should get some more minutes under his belt here.
Bagging five goals in as many appearances, Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli will spearhead Arteta’s attack in north London.
Sporting Lisbon
As for the visitors, putting in another eye-catching display when they welcomed Arsenal to the Estadio Jose Alvalade last week, Sporting Lisbon will be desperate to spring a real Europa League upset here. Picking up some perfect momentum last weekend as they cruised their way to a 3-0 victory at home against Boavista, Ruben Amorim’s men have continued to gain a string of plaudits from across European this season. Although the Lions might simply be in a chase to claim a top-four finish in 2023, the Portuguese giants have lost just one of their last 10 straight appearances across all formats – a run that stems all the way back to January 28th. Likewise, despite making the trip to north London on Thursday night facing an uphill battle, Sporting should be boosted by their extended success on the road. In fact, Amorim’s side have won each of their previous five showdowns outside of Lisbon by an aggregate score of 11-3.
Team News
Dealing with a recent injury issue and missing Sporting’s first-leg meeting last week, former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin is once again a major doubt here. Likewise, Amorim’s side will be without 23-year-old Daniel Braganca due to a long-term knee injury.
Now bagging three consecutive strikes across all competitions, Paulinho will lead Sporting’s charge on Thursday night.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides met at the Estadio Jose Alvalade last week for their first-leg meeting, Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon played out a 2-2 draw.
- The Gunners have racked up 17 strikes on their six-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
- Arsenal have suffered just a single Europa League defeat at the Emirates since February 2020.
- Thursday’s guests have won each of their last five consecutive away fixtures by an aggregate score of 11-3.
- Likewise, Sporting Lisbon have scored over 1.5 goals in five of their previous six appearances on the road.
Conclusion
Although Arsenal might have failed to pick up a first-leg advantage out in Portugal last week, the Gunners will be confident of booking their Europa League quarter-final ticket on Thursday night. Although Sporting Lisbon might have proven at the Estádio Jose Alvalad that they will be a tough test, Arteta’s high-flying squad has their sights set on making real history in 2023. Holding a five-point buffer at the top of the Premier League table, the midweek hosts have certainly bounced back from their brief February wobble. Really finding a clinical edge in the final third and mustering 17 strikes on their six-match unbeaten run, we are backing Arsenal to extend on their Europa League adventure here.
Verdict: Arsenal win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 9/4
Bookmaker: Unibet
