Arsenal vs Sporting predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of Europa League fixture tonight

Everything you need to know ahead of the Europa League second leg

Jamie Braidwood
Thursday 16 March 2023 18:56 GMT
Comments
Arteta relishing the return of 'big European nights' to Emirates vs Sporting in UEL

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Arsenal host Sporting tonight with a place in the Europa League quarter-finals up for grabs.

An entertaining 2-2 draw in Lisbon last week means the tie is in the balance, and Mikel Arteta’s side have shown few signs of taking the Europa League knockout stages lightly despite the opportunity to win their first Premier League title in 19 years this season.

The Gunners are five-points ahead of Manchester City in the title race and will have the opportunity to make that eight going into the international break when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Arsenal opened the scoring in Lisbon thanks to William Saliba but Sporting hit back through Goncalo Inacio and Paulinho. Arteta’s side dominated the second half chances and equalised through an own goal by Hidemasa Morita

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is Arsenal vs Sporting?

The match will kick off at 8pm GMT on Thursday 16 March.

How can I watch it and is there a live stream?

It will be shown live on BT Sport 2, with coverage starting from 7:15pm GMT. BT Sport customers can also stream the match live on the BT Sport website and mobile app.

What is the team news?

Gabriel Jesus could make his first start for Arsenal since before the World Cup after the forward came off the bench in the win over Fulham on Sunday. Eddie Nketiah is still out but Kieran Tierney could return after missing the first leg through illness.

Sporting will be without captain Sebastian Coates as well as Morita due to suspension. Former Arsenal captain Hector Bellerin remains out with a knee injury.

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Jorginho; Vieira, Odegaard, Trossard; Jesus

Sporting: Adan; St. Juste, Inacio, Reis; Esgaio, Ugarte, Goncalves, Santos; Edwards, Paulinho, Trincao

Odds

Arsenal win: 5/12

Draw: 17/4

Sporting win: 8/1

Prediction

Arsenal 3-1 Sporting

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in