Sporting Lisbon v Arsenal: Team News, Live stream, Prediction

Arsenal will resume their quest for continental glory when they travel to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League first leg last-16 tie on Thursday (9 March). 

The Gunners are flying high in the Premier League this season, and they have taken a healthy five-point lead over reigning champions Manchester City, with 12 games left to play. 

Here Football Blog brings you key details on – team news, how to watch it on Tv, live stream info, and predicted line-ups from Sporting Lisbon v Arsenal. 

Sporting Lisbon v Arsenal: Match details

Date: Thursday, 9 March

Time: 5.45 PM GMT

Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade 

Sporting missed out on a place in the Champions League knock out stages after losing to Frankfurt on the final matchday. They settled for a third-placed berth in their group and a spot in the Europa League as a result. 

Ruben Amorim’s side occupy fourth place in the Primeira Liga table, 15 points behind leaders Benfica. With dreams of domestic league title slipping away, they have an extra incentive to focus on the European front. 

Mikel Arteta’s side bounced back from a mini-slump in February to pick up four wins in a row in the league. The Premier League leaders are heading into this game on the back of a 3-2 win over AFC Bournemouth, where Reiss Nelson scored a last-gap winner. 

Amorim will be without midfield duo Daniel Braganca and Manuel Ugarte for this game. Ugarte picked up his third European booking of the season against Midtjyland, while Braganca is still recovering from a anterior cruciate ligament injury. 

Former Arsenal defender, Hector Bellerin could start against his former club, while exciting Argentine starlet Mateo Tanlongo could come into the starting line-up as well. 

With plenty of football left to be played this season, Arteta should not gamble on players who are carrying major / minor knocks. Leandro Trossard came off with a groin problem against the Cherries, and he is likely to miss out here. 

Both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are fit and available, but Arteta may not be willing to rush them back. The likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli could feature instead. Kieran Tierney, who has been recently linked with a move to Newcastle, could miss out due to illness. 

Sporting predicted XI: Adan; Diomande, Coates, Inacio; Bellerin, Morita, Pedro Goncalves, Reis; Edwards, Paulinho, Santos

Arsenal predicted line-up: Turner; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Jorginho; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Martinelli. 

How to watch Sporting Lisbon v Arsenal

Tv channel: For viewers in the UK, the game is being shown on BT Sport 2, BTSport.com and the BT Sport app. 

Live stream: The viewers can catch the action live online via the BT Sport website and app.

Football Blog prediction: Sporting Lisbon 1 – 2 Arsenal