Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal
A familiar face will be back at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday night when Arsenal visit Sporting Lisbon for a mouth-watering Champions League clash, with former Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres in the Gunners line-up.
The Swedish hit man plundered a whopping 68 goals in 66 appearances during two stellar seasons in Portugal and, while he has not been so prolific at the Emirates so far, scoring 11 goals in 29 games, he had a brilliant international break for his country, scoring four huge goals; and he has been visibly growing in confidence.
Gyokeres’ hat-trick in the first leg World Cup play-off against Poland, and his late winner in the second leg ensured he’ll be strutting his stuff in the USA in June, and he was on target again for the Gunners on Saturday, but to no avail as Mikel Arteta’s men crashed out of the FA Cup in a 2-1 defeat to Southampton.
Meanwhile Rui Borges’ Sporting Lisbon were at home to Santa Clara on Friday and they won 4-2 to stay in the Primeira Division title race, and with just one loss in 15 games they are in good shape to give their visitors a serious test.
Talking Points
Suarez steps up for Lisbon
Sporting launched a fantastic fight-back to reach the quarter-finals, beating Bodo Glimt 5-3 on aggregate, in one of the best ties of the Round of 16. Red hot striker Luis Suarez was on target and he’s a good bet to make some exciting Champions League 2026 highlights against Arsenal on Tuesday. Following the sale of Gyokeres to Arsenal the chance fell to Suarez and the Colombian ace has taken it with both hands, scoring 33 goals in all competitions, including five in the Champions League.
He took a break during Sporting’s 4-2 win over Santa Clara as head coach Borges made wholesale changes, and the 28 year old will be ready to make his mark against the Gunners. Newcastle United are said to be ready to table a bid of around £50m for Suarez, while Liverpool are also reported to be interested.
And Suarez is not the only striker Arsenal need to keep an eye on. Francisco Trincao has contributed 23 goals and assists combined this term, and the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man will relish the chance to take on the Gunners.
But the hosts will be without their captain Morten Hjulmand, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the competition during the win over Bodo Glimt.
Arsenal’s quadruple dream in tatters
The latest Champions League 2026 betting odds place Arteta’s Gunners as the favourites to take the European crown in May; but only a couple of weeks ago they were in the Carabao Cup final and on course to win the FA Cup as part of a potentially historic quadruple. Arsenal are leading the Premier League title race by nine points, though Manchester City have a game in hand and are still to host the leaders at the Etihad Stadium; but the other two domestic competitions are now off the list of targets. Comfortably beaten by the Sky Blues for the first piece of silverware this season, Arsenal were expected to cope with Championship club Southampton in the FA Cup quarter final.
But they crashed out to the Saints as goals from Ross Stewart and Shea Charles thrilled the south coast fans, either side of a Gyokeres strike.
Arsenal had a number of first line players out of the opening line-up against Southampton, though Gyokeres, alongside Martin Zubimendi and William Saliba came off the bench to try to rescue a result. I expect all three to start, but there is some doubt over the fitness of midfield ace Eberechi Eze, who pulled out of the England squad last week.
Arsenal need a result in Lisbon. Manchester City are not going to go away in the Premier League race any time soon, and the Sky Blues looked ruthless in a 4-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday. The Gunners are desperate to avoid a third successive loss when they head to Portugal.
History
Arsenal have won two and drawn three of the previous five meetings with Sporting but the Lisbon Lions are in better form, winning five, drawing one and losing one of the last seven, while Arsenal have won four, drawn one and lost two.
And the 4-2 win over Santa Clara made it 17 consecutive victories at home in all competitions for Sporting.
Betting Tip
Despite their excellent home form Sporting are the outsiders at SBOTOP odds of 4.40, with Arsenal at 1.79 with the draw is at 3.65. But Arsenal seem to have the jitters at the moment and Lisbon is one of the hardest places to visit right now
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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