Sporting Lisbon v Arsenal – UEL Betting Preview
Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon welcomes EPL leaders Arsenal in this first-leg tie and the host will seek to gain a vital win to give them the best possible chance of progressing into the last eight.
Sporting will be backed by a noisy and sold-out stadium, and the manager Rúben Amorim will hope that the fans can boost his side’s belief that they can defeat a club he is full of admiration for.
Sporting Lisbon is highly rated in this competition and has reached this round of the UEFA Europa four times. They believe that they can progress from the round, and are comfortable being underdogs.
The league form is respectable but they are well off the title race.
The weekend 1-0 win at Portimonense stretched their unbeaten competitive run to five matches, in which they have won four. However, they sit 15 points behind the title pace in Portugal.
Looking at team news for Sporting in this first leg now
Braganca is the only notable injury concern, he will miss out with a knee problem.
Arsenal Summary
Arsenal comes into this Europa league game on a massive high after a stunning comeback win against Bournemouth on the weekend.
The Premier League is undoubtedly their focus and priority for the north London club this season, but they are aware of damaging momentum should they get knocked out of this competition.
The mood in Arsenal is superb right now and forgotten is the mini setback they had with losses to Manchester City and Everton.
However, these bad league results were born out of an FA Cup exit where Arteta made some rotations. And with this in mind, the boss may well limit changes for the first leg.
The North Londoners are strongly expected to make some moves but probably won’t rest any key men.
The only important absence is the long-term one of Gabriel Jesus, and with Trossard out and Nketiah a big doubt, there is a big question mark as to whom leads the attack.
It is most likely to be Martinelli as the number 9, with Smith Rowe on the flank.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. Arsenal is the slight favourite @ 2.15. Sporting is @ 3.55 and the draw is @ 3.25.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. Sporting +0.25 @ 2.05 will likely be reactive and play on breaks, they are well-drilled and will make it tough for the EPL leaders. Much here depends on the focus and lineup of Arsenal -0.25 @ 1.82.
Looking at The Under/Over goal betting last of all. The line is set at 2.5, the over is @ 2.00 and the Under is @ 1.83.
Sporting has high respect for the visitor and so will probably sit back unless behind. Arsenal meanwhile won’t be upset at 0-0, so the expectation is of a tight affair which may only open up if there is a relatively early goal.
