Arsenal reached the Europa League semi-finals last season while Sporting Lisbon reached the quarter-finals, and so their Thursday night meeting promises to be an interesting contest.
Under Arsene Wenger, the Gunners reached the penultimate stage of the competition but faltered against Atletico Madrid, who incidentally also knocked out the Portuguese outfit the round before.
This season, Arsenal look a completely new side under the guidance of Unai Emery, and the Spaniard will be hoping for success both domestically and on the European stage.
Sporting have somewhat steadied the ship after a tumultuous season last time out, and new manager Jose Peseiro will be hoping to cause an upset when his side host Arsenal.
Read on for Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats and TV channel info.
When is Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal?
Competition: Europa League
Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade
Date: Thursday, 25 October
Kick-off: 5:55 PM BST
Match preview
Arsenal are currently on a winning run that spans 10 matches, having overcome Leicester City on Monday night to clinch an impressive 3-1 victory on home turf in the Premier League.
That 10-match run also includes a 3-1 victory over Brentford in the EFL Cup and two victories against the club’s Group E Europa League rivals Qarabag FK and Vorskla Poltava, whom the Gunners beat 3-0 and 4-2 respectively.
The match in Azerbaijan at the Baku Olympic Stadium saw the starting inclusion of young prospect Emile Smith Rowe – who bagged himself a goal – but he will unlikely start on Thursday given the quality of opposition.
Monday night also bore witness to the brilliance of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who could both start should Emery choose to send out a full-strength side.
Sporting meanwhile have also made a winning start to life in Group E, though that was perhaps to be expected from both clubs given the opposition. Peseiro’s men have made a mixed start to their domestic season, sitting fifth in the Primeira Liga, having won four, drawn one and lost two.
Leoes lost a number of key names over the summer after the turmoil that surrounded the club last term, including captain Rui Patricio to Wolves, William Carvalho to Real Betis and Gelson Martins to Atletico Madrid.
The dust has appeared to have settled under the stewardship of Peseiro, who will be hoping to bring an end to Arsenal’s incredible winning run.
Where can I watch live?
Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal can be viewed by UK residents on BT Sport 2, channel 414 on Sky and channel 532 for Virgin Media users. BT Sport subscribers can also watch the game online at sport.bt.com and via their BT Sport app.
The game is also available to watch on fuboTV.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about fuboTV
Can Arsenal go one further in the Europa League this season?
The early signs of life under Emery are certainly promising for Arsenal fans; the Gunners suffered back-to-back defeats at the start of the season, albeit against Manchester City and Chelsea, but they have come on leaps and bounds since.
There is an element of self-assurance in Arsenal’s play, which has been sorely lacking for a number of years now, and in Emery, they have a master of Europa League football – a man who has previously won the competition an unprecedented three times in a row during his stint in charge of Sevilla.
So successful was Emery in Spain that he prompted Paris Saint-Germain to make a move for his services, as their quest for football dominance hinges on continental success. It did not quite work out for him in the French capital, but he has all the credentials to replicate his Sevilla success in north London.
Who is Sporting’s main threat?
Amid all the chaos last season, Bruno Fernandes was a revelation in the Portuguese capital, netting 16 goals in 56 appearances across all competitions, though it was not his goalscoring exploits that turned heads, as he also registered 20 assists.
Blessed with great technique, vision and a brilliant passing ability, Fernandes offers his side extensive creativity, always looking to unlock doors, find hidden gaps and play through balls behind the defence.
The No.8 operates as a second striker or in attacking midfield, dovetailing just behind the central striker looking to link up as much as possible. Emery will have identified Fernandes as the main threat, and it will be up to either Xhaka, Torreira or Elneny to stifle his creativity.
Is Mesut Ozil back to his best?
If you tuned into Monday Night Football then you would have had the privilege of watching a masterclass from Mesut Ozil.
The German moved with an elegance and grace that was mesmeric to the eye; his deftness of touch was immaculate and his weight of pass was sheer perfection, but will we finally be seeing the 30-year-old produce this level of brilliance on a consistent basis?
Ozil seemed a man on a mission after the criticism he received post-World Cup. If the playmaker is using that as fuel, then Arsenal fans will be overjoyed as Germany’s loss appears to be Arsenal’s gain.
Head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between these sides in just under 50 years – 49 to be precise – when they locked horns in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969, the precursor to the Uefa Cup.
The first leg was a goalless draw in Lisbon, but Arsenal triumphed in the return fixture 3-0, and they would go on to win the competition, beating Anderlecht in the final.
Sporting Lisbon wins: 0 Draws: 1 Arsenal: 1
Team news
Emery will likely rotate his squad following his side’s win against the Foxes, with second-half substitutes Aubameyang, Aaron Ramsey and Matteo Guendouzi all possible starters having not made the starting XI on Monday.
Meanwhile, Sokratis Papastathopoulos could return to the side on Thursday following a short spell on the sidelines, while Petr Cech will likely miss out.
Elsewhere, Danny Welbeck should start as the Europa League looks like his only chance of getting significant minutes at present, and Rowe could be in with an outside chance of retaining a position in the starting XI.
For Sporting, Bas Dost remains sidelined which has been a massive hindrance for the club, while summer signing Raphinha is also out, and there have also been late concerns for Fredy Montero who will be assessed before the match.
Jeremy Mathieu also returned to training this week, though Thursday’s match might have come too soon for the Frenchman.
Predicted Sporting Lisbon XI: Salin; Ristovski, Coates, Pinto, Acuna; Nani, Battaglia, Fernandes, Gudelj, Cabral; Montero
Predicted Arsenal XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Sokratis, Lichtsteiner; Mkhitaryan, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Elneny, Iwobi; Welbeck.
Predictions & Betting Tips
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1. Both teams to score and no draw @ 9/5
Arsenal have scored a lot of goals this season. In fact, they have scored the second-most in the Premier League, above Liverpool and Chelsea with 22, but they have also conceded 11 and kept just three clean sheets in the 12 matches they have played this season.
Sporting have not scored as prolifically as they have done in the past, but the Lisbon club have still netted double figures, and the Gunners just seem to have a habit of leaking in goals.
Key stat: Arsenal have scored the second-most goals in the Premier League (22) but have kept just two clean sheets in the league.
Tip: Both teams to score and no draw @ 9/5 with William Hill – bet here.
Odds correct at time of publishing (24/10/2018, 15:30)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Danny Welbeck to score anytime @ 13/10
This is the England international’s big chance to impress. He should get the nod as the Europa League seems to be his main chance of getting first-team opportunities, and he will be desperate to leave a lasting impression.
Welbeck netted earlier in the campaign against Vorskla and he also netted three times last campaign en route to the semi-final. With good service around him, the 27-year-old should find the back of the net.
Key stat: Danny Welbeck has started both Europa League matches this season and has scored once.
Tip: Danny Welbeck to score anytime @ 13/10 with William Hill – bet here.
Odds correct at time of publishing (24/10/2018, 15:30)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
3. Arsenal to win by two or more goals @ 3/1 (enhanced odds)
As mentioned, the Gunners are flying high at the moment and they seem to be scoring at sheer will; they have also found the back of the net seven times already in the two matches they have played in Europe this season.
Sporting look unpredictable at present and Arsenal look world-beaters, so, the north London club should have enough in the tank to see this match out, and given their recent form, it would come as no surprise to see them fire three or four home.
Key stat: Arsenal have scored seven goals in two Europa League matches this season
Tip: Arsenal to win by two or more goals @ enhanced odds of 3/1 with William Hill – bet here.
Odds correct at time of publishing (24/10/2018, 15:30)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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