English Premier League leaders Arsenal are all set for their last 16 away first leg in the Europa League against Sporting Lisbon.
Arsenal progressed as winners from Group A to set up a tie with Sporting, who dished out a 5-1 beating to FC Midtjylland in the playoffs.
Sporting’s only Europa League last-16 exit in its current format came against eventual winners Atletico Madrid in 2009-10.
Sporting have won their last four games in all competitions, keeping clean sheets in their last three games and need to be on toes in this mega clash.
Arsenal have also won their last four games in all competitions and are coming off a mighty 3-2 comeback victory against Bournemouth.
En route to the final in the 2018-19 season, Arsenal edged past Sporting 1-0 during the group stage.
Arsenal had the second-best defensive record in the group stage of the Europa League, conceding three goals in six games.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their last six meetings against Portuguese teams while the hosts have progressed into the next round in their previous six ties against English teams.
Sporting have lost five of their last nine European home games (W3 D1), conceding 18 goals in those defeats.
Will this be yet another loss for Sporting or can they pull their weight to beat Arsenal on the night?
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What time does Sporting vs Arsenal start?
The game kicks off at 8:45pm Kenyan time at the Estadio Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Sporting vs Arsenal team news
Manuel Ugarte picked up a booking in the last game and will sit this one out, meaning Manuel Tanlongo is set to come into the starting line-up.
Matheus Reis and Jeremiah St. Juste are also primed to feature in the starting line-up as they look to field their strongest side.
Hector Bellerin is raring for a start to face his former employers but will most likely start on the bench.
For the visitors, Emile Smith Rowe might have to come into the side after Leandro Trossard picked up an injury in the last game.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will complete the attacking trio.
Sporting vs Arsenal head to head
These sides have played against each other twice in their history and Sporting have never won a game. Arsenal have won once and the other ended in a barren draw.
Sporting vs Arsenal current form
Both teams have won all of their last 5 games but Arsenal have lost once as well, while Sporting are unbeaten in that run.
Sporting vs Arsenal prediction
With home advantage, Sporting have the pressure to get a positive result to take into the second leg and are tipped to score, as well as the visitors.
Though, Arsenal may just win this leg.