Sporting CP

Sporting CP are having a great season. They are still in contention in all competitions, with a chance to win the league and the cup in Portugal, and are in the Champions League quarter-finals following a strong group stage, in which they also finished among the top eight. Rui Borges has built a very solid side, one that knows its game and makes the most of its footballing resources.

The Portuguese know they are not favourites in this tie, but they have been relentless at home, where opponents such as the reigning champions, PSG, have fallen. Furthermore, the Colombian Luis Suárez, with 30 goals all season and four in the Champions League, is in fine form and intent on keeping the Lisbon fans dreaming big.

Injured players at Sporting Lisbon for the Champions League quarter-finals

Ioannidis, Quenda and Luis Guilherme

Suspended players at Sporting Lisbon for the Champions League quarter-finals

Hjulmand

Sporting Lisbon’s latest results

• Braga 2-2 Sporting Lisbon
• Bodo Glimt 3-0 Sporting Lisbon
• Sporting CP 5-0 Bodo Glimt
• Alberca 1-4 Sporting CP
• Sporting CP 4-2 Santa Clara

Arsenal

The London side, for their part, go into the match with a bitter taste in their mouths following their elimination in the FA Cup quarter-finals at the hands of Championship side Southampton. Mikel Arteta’s men were far from their best and were outplayed by a team fighting for a place in the promotion play-offs to the Premier League and to win the FA Cup.

In the cup tie, the Basque manager rested many of his key players, who will be available at the José Alvarado. The Gunners are now focusing all their efforts on the Premier League and the Champions League, so they will be going all out. With players like Rice and Martín Zubimendi controlling the midfield, the team’s performance should improve and secure a positive result to seal the tie at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal players injured for the Champions League quarter-finals

Mikel Merino, Saka, Trossard, Eze and Hincapie

Arsenal players suspended for the Champions League quarter-finals

Arsenal have no suspended players for this match.

Arsenal’s latest results

• Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal
• Arsenal 2-0 Everton
• Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
• Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City
• Southampton 2-1 Arsenal

Sporting CP v Arsenal: statistics

Sporting CP have won their last three competitive matches. Furthermore, they have been very reliable at the José Alvarade, having suffered just one defeat and one draw in their last 20 home matches.

Arsenal, for their part, arrive with more doubts following two defeats in the EFL Cup and the FA Cup. Furthermore, away from home, they have conceded goals in seven of their last ten away fixtures.

Sporting Lisbon - Arsenal: predictions

The Portuguese side know that their chances of reaching the Champions League semi-finals depend on winning this first leg. Arsenal, for their part, are aware that the Lisbon side are very strong at home, but that they struggle away from their stadium, as was the case against Bodo Glimt. Despite the Gunners being favourites, the Portuguese side are in better form. For that reason, it is likely that Sporting Lisbon will win this match.