Sporting are in fine form and will pose a tough challenge to the Gunners who have been inconsistent with their performance recently. This fixture will be exciting for sure and fans can expect both teams to hit the score sheet and produce over 2.5.
Match info: UEFA Champions League
Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon
Date: Tuesday, 26th November 2024
Time: 9 pm Nigerian time
Having hinted at a winter revival with a morale-boosting Premier League success, Arsenal resume Champions League duties away to Portuguese titans Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday evening.
The Gunners put three past Nottingham Forest without reply over the weekend, while their hosts kicked off the post-Ruben Amorim era with a comprehensive 6-0 Taca de Portugal pummelling of Amarante.
Head-to-head:
- Both teams have never met in the Champions League before, but they have faced each other in the UEFA Europa League.
- Sporting never won against Arsenal in regulation time in their 4 meetings.
- Arsenal recorded just 1 victory in those matches.
- The other 3 games ended in draws.
Form:
- Sporting in all competitions: W-W-W-W-W
- Arsenal in all competitions: W-L-L-D-W
Team News:
- The home team will not have Nuno Santos and Pedro Goncalves due to injury. The rest of the players are fit and will be available for the match.
- Arsenal have some injury concerns, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney all will miss the fixture against Sporting.
Player(s) to watch:
- Victor Gyokeres, who is the hottest striker in Europe right now, is very physical and formidable in duels. He uses his strengths to shield the ball and hold it up to allow other attackers to come into the game. He is also an aerial monster with the athleticism to jump high and control long balls. He isn’t just a physical powerhouse, he is also skilled with the ball at his feet, boasting a strong first touch and quick feet to enable him to create a separation.
- Bukayo Saka, coming off the back of a brilliant goal over the weekend, has led his side from the front and as an example. Saka has been on fire and has displayed jaw-dropping performances on the right flank. His creativity, vision, and defensive contributions will come in handy for the Gunners.