Arsenal vs Sporting CP preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

A spot in the Europa League quarter-finals is on the line when Arsenal lock horns with Sporting CP in north London on Thursday night. 

The two sides played out an entertaining first leg in Lisbon last time out with the Gunners coming from behind in the second half to earn a 2-2 draw. Thus, the tie is evenly poised heading into Thursday’s second leg.

The Premier League leaders purred at the weekend against Fulham and will be expected to triumph against the Portuguese side on home soil. However, Sporting highlighted their credentials last time out and a rotated Arsenal team could be vulnerable to an upset at the Emirates with Mikel Arteta unlikely to go full strength.

It’s bound to be an exciting night of European action, that’s for sure.

Arsenal vs Sporting CP preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Here’s our preview of Arsenal’s Europa League round of 16 second leg against Sporting CP.

How to watch Sporting CP vs Arsenal on TV

When is kick-off? Thursday 16 March

What time is kick-off? 20:00 (BST)

Where is it played? Emirates Stadium

TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 2 (UK), DAZN (Canada), Paramount+ (US)

Referee? Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)

Arsenal team news

Gabriel Jesus returned to action following three months out on Sunday and he’s in contention to start on Thursday with Eddie Nketiah still out. However, Leandro Trossard is likely to get the nod up top with Reiss Nelson and potentially Fabio Vieira joining him in the front three.

Bukayo Saka should be rested.

Emile Smith Rowe could earn his first start of the season in midfield, while Jorginho will come in for Thomas Partey at the base of midfield. Kieran Tierney should come in at left-back after missing the first leg through illness, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Arteta change it up at centre-back with Rob Holding and Gabriel potentially emerging as Thursday’s partnership.

Sporting CP team news

Sporting were dealt two big blows in the first leg as captain Sebastián Coates and midfielder Hidemasa Morita each picked up yellow cards which mean they’re suspended for the reverse fixture.

However, Ruben Amorim will welcome Manuel Ugarte back from suspension with Pote likely to partner him in Sporting’s midfield two. Young defender Ousmane Diomande should replace Coates in the back three.

Otherwise, the visitors will likely be unchanged from last Thursday’s clash.

Arsenal vs Sporting CP predicted lineups

Arsenal: Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorignho, Smith Rowe, Xhaka; Fabio Vieira, Trossard, Nelson.

Sporting CP: Adan; Inacio, Diomande, St. Juste; Esgaio, Pote, Ugarte, Reis; Edwards, Paulinho, Trincao.

Arsenal’s recent form

Fulham 0-3 Arsenal (12/03) – Premier League

Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal (09/03) – Europa League

Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth (04/03) – Premier League

Arsenal 4-0 Everton (01/03) – Premier League

Leicester 0-1 Arsenal (25/02) – Premier League

Sporting CP’s recent form

Sporting CP 3-0 Boavista (12/03) – Primeira Liga

Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal (09/03) – Europa League

Portimonense 0-1 Sporting CP (04/03) – Primeira Liga

Sporting CP 2-0 Estoril Praia (27/02) – Primeira Liga

Midtjylland 0-4 Sporting CP (23/02) – Europa League

Prediction

Sporting were never going to be pushovers, and it’ll be interesting to see how strong Arteta goes for the second leg considering that his rotated XI struggled somewhat in Lisbon. I suspect the Spaniard will once again make changes, which means another highly competitive game is in store.

The Portuguese side showed us what they’re all about last week. They’re technically proficient in the build-up, sporadic but shrewd pressers, and lightning-quick in transition. Arsenal can ill-afford to be sloppy once again in the build-up, but I fear they might be should Arteta shuffle his pack once again.

Thus, while the Gunners have home advantage, the second leg is tricky to call. However, Sporting’s suspensions should tilt the tie in the hosts’ favour, even if they are getting Ugarte back. I’ll back a hard-fought win.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Sporting CP