Odds courtesy of TonyBet.
Arsenal vs Sporting CP Odds
Arsenal are a massive -213 moneyline favorite at soccer betting sportsbooks. Sporting has been given little chance to win the second leg, coming back at +580 odds. A draw is priced at +370.
Arsenal vs Sporting CP Analysis
The Gunners are on the verge of a potential collapse in the Premier League title race, and their form as of late has been very poor. Arsenal are only six points clear of Manchester City, and the Cityzens still have a game in hand ahead of a huge clash with the North Londoners next Sunday. Regardless, the task at hand is Sporting, and a berth in the UCL last four is at stake.
The London outfit made the semifinals in last season’s competition, but ultimately lost to eventual champions PSG. It took an injury-time winner from Havertz last week in Lisbon to give Arsenal a one-goal advantage for Wednesday’s return tie on home soil, and there’s plenty of motivation to respond. The Gunners lost to Bournemouth over the weekend, and just before the first leg, Southampton shockingly knocked them out of the FA Cup.
Sporting technically wasn’t supposed to even be in the quarterfinals. Bodo/Glimt smashed them 3-0 in the opening leg of the Round of 16, but the Portuguese giants proceeded to secure a 5-0 victory in the second leg in Lisbon, helping them set up a tantalizing tie with Arsenal.
Rui Borges’ side gave Arsenal a run for their money last Tuesday. They controlled 44% of the football and actually had more shots (11) and shots on target (5) than the Premier League side. Unfortunately, Sporting couldn’t turn any of those opportunities into goals, and now, it’s do-or-die. However, there’s no better time to face the Gunners, who are in arguably their worst form of the campaign.
Arsenal vs Sporting CP Injury News
Arsenal are set to welcome back both Piero Hincapie and Eberechi Eze, but they still have several key names in doubt, with Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber all game-time decisions for the second leg. Mikel Merino (foot) is the only confirmed absentee, while Martin Zubimendi could be rested, potentially opening the door for Christian Norgaard in midfield.
Sporting head into the second leg in relatively strong shape, with Morten Hjulmand returning from suspension to bolster the midfield. Fotis Ioannidis (ligament) and Luis Guilherme (ankle) remain sidelined, but there was positive news regarding Luis Suarez, who is available after a first-leg booking mix-up and is expected to lead the line.
Arsenal vs Sporting CP Picks
Despite their poor play lately, Arsenal’s squad has tremendous depth. Even if the likes of Saka, Timber, and Odegaard don’t suit up, the Gunners should be able to emerge victorious on home soil. However, given their shaky backline at the moment, I’ll take both teams to score.
Pick: Both teams to score (-102), Arsenal -213/TonyBet
