Prediction: Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to claim an immediate Champions League response on Tuesday night, Arsenal will travel to a high-flying Sporting Lisbon.

Sporting Lisbon

Starting with the hosts, while many around Lisbon might have been heartbroken earlier in the month as Ruben Amorim officially left for Old Trafford, Sporting are enjoying what has been a history-making flurry. Getting Joao Pereira’s tenure underway with an action-packed 4-2 victory away at domestic rivals Braga, the Lions have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the globe. Laying down what was an iconic Champions League marker prior to November’s international break as they stormed their way to a 4-1 romp against Premier League giants Manchester City, Tuesday’s hosts will be looking to claim another famous scalp here. Already putting 10 points on the board from their first four European showdowns and with the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, Pereira’s new squad will certainly be relishing Tuesday’s battle at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Team News

Although former Wolves youngster Pedro Goncalves might have missed out of Taco de Portugal action over the weekend with a knock, the 26-year-old is expected to make a full return. However, ex-Rio Ave striker Nuno Santos remains on the sidelines and will not feature in midweek.

Bagging what was a sensational Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City earlier in the month, the record-breaking Viktor Gyokeres will spearhead Lisbon’s charge in the final third. Japan International Hidemasa Morita will partner Morten Hjulmand in the middle of the park.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, claiming what was a much-welcomed boost over the weekend, Arsenal will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. Eventually storming their way to a 3-0 romp at home against Nottingham Forest, Mikel Arteta’s men are now hoping to find some crucial stability. Failing to collect back-to-back victories across any competition since the start of October, the Gunners are also seeking an immediate Champions League response here. Last seen on the European stage falling to a 1-0 loss away at Italian heavyweights Inter Milan, Tuesday’s guests have also gained an unwanted reputation for their glaring issues outside of north London. Despite extending on their EFL Cup adventure last month as they clinched a 3-0 win against Championship outfit Preston, that is the only victory that Arsenal have recorded from all of their previous seven matchups away from the Emirates.

Team News

Once again missing out against Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon, Ben White remains a doubt here. Likewise, although former Celtic defender Kieran Tierney might have recently returned to first-team training, the Scotland international is not expected to travel to Lisbon.

Although 17-year-old sensational Ethan Nwaneri might have notched a maiden Premier League strike over the weekend, Arsenal’s budding young star will settle for a spot on the bench. England international Declan Rice will be handed a full recall and start in the middle of the park.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Sporting Lisbon and Arsenal last met back in March 2023, the Lions clinched a famous penalties victory in north London.
• Sporting Lisbon are unbeaten in each of the last three meetings against the Gunners.
• Arsenal have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous seven appearances away from the Emirates.
• Lisbon are remarkably unbeaten in all of their first 18 appearances across all competitions (17 wins, one draw).
• Likewise, Tuesday’s hosts have collected 10 points from their first four Champions League appearances.

Conclusion

While Arsenal might have claimed an essential boost over the weekend as they stormed their way to a 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest, the Gunners should be bracing themselves for a real challenge here. Although Sporting Lisbon might have watched Amorim officially leave the club this month, they are in the midst of what has become an iconic fairytale. Unbeaten in all of their first 18 appearances across all competitions, the Lions will be confident of testing an Arsenal squad that have shown some extended issues outside of north London.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet