The UEFA Champions League returns for matchday five, marking the beginning of the second half of matches in the league phase.
Tuesday sees a number of interesting match-ups between some of Europe’s top clubs, but here we take a closer look at the clash between the in-form Sporting and the rebounding Arsenal.
Sporting vs Arsenal
Tuesday 26 November, 21:00
Estadio Jose Alvalade
Sporting have had a sensational 2024-25 season so far, only suffering defeat on the opening day in the Super Cup to Porto, since going on to win 17 and draw one of the following 18 fixtures across all competitions.
Those results leave them top of Liga Portugal with a six-point cushion over second-placed Porto, while they are also second in the Champions League, having won three and drawn one of their matches, leaving them with 10 points from a possible 12.
Sporting last recorded a remarkable 4-1 victory against Manchester City in their last Champions League fixture, coming from 1-0 down to secure the sublime win, and they will be hoping to replicate that victory against fellow English opposition Arsenal.
They will, however, be without manager Ruben Amorim, who has since joined Manchester United as manager, leaving Joao Pereira hoping to live up to the former boss’s stellar start to the campaign.
Arsenal will be heading into the match with their confidence boosted after they finally returned to winning ways for the first time after four matches without a win, two draws and two defeats, as they beat Nottingham Forest 3-0.
They are 12th in the league phase heading into this game, having won two, drawn one and lost one to leave them with seven points, meaning a win could be vital in their attempts to finish in the top eight and secure automatic qualification to the round of 16.
The Gunners will also be looking to avoid an unwanted record of failing to score in five successive away matches in the Champions League in this match, and they should be confident of creating chances to get on the scoresheet with the return of Martin Odegaard in recent weeks.
Sporting Predicted XI: Israel; Reis, Inacio, Diomande; Quenda, Morita, Hjulmand, Araujo; Trincao, Gyokeres, Edwards
Arsenal Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Bet9ja Tips
Sporting are likely to be confident give they are playing at home and are coming off the back of a superb 4-1 win against Man City the last time they featured in the Champions League, but they will still be underdogs heading into this one.
Arsenal are the stronger side and their confidence would have been boosted after winning 3-0 in their last match, however have been poor on the road this season. A draw is priced up at 3.50 and could be the sensible choice here.
Arsenal’s defence has failed to reach the same levels as last season thus far, with teams able to harm the Gunners on frequent occasions, and with in-form Viktor Gyokeres set to start for Sporting, we believe the Swedish striker will get on the scoresheet here to add to his 33 goals in 25 games for club and country in 2024/25. You can get odds of 2.50 for this to happen at Bet9ja.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Sporting win: 3.30, Draw: 3.50, Arsenal win: 2.18
Booking Codes:
Draw: 96GYJH – Book Here
Gyokeres to score anytime: 96GWQD – Book Here
