Arsenal return to UEFA Europa League action with a trip to the Portuguese capital to take on Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

By qualifying top of their group Mikel Arteta's side avoided the knockout round play-offs and are now seen one of the favourites for the competition. However, if you fancy a flutter away from the football why not try Jackpotjoy online casino. In the meantime, here's all you need to know about the tie which promises to be an intriguing clash. Not least due to Sporting's hopes of securing a Champions League spot via the Primeira Liga dwindling substantially, meaning victory in this competition might be Sporting's best chance of returning to European competition next term.

Where are Sporting CP vs Arsenal playing?

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Stadium: Estadio Jose Alvalade

Date: Thursday 9 March

Kick-off Time: 17:45 GMT / 12:45 ET / 09:45 PT

Referee: Tobias Stieler (GER)

VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER)

Where to watch:

If you're not one of the lucky ones avoiding the snow in the UK to visit one of the most wonderful capitals in Europe, you can watch the match on BT Sport 2.

Team news:

Ruben Amorim's only absentees are midfielders Daniel Braganca (knee) and Manuel Ugarte (suspension). Boss Ruben Amorim is expected to name his strongest possible starting XI, which includes former Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin

The Sporting Squad including Hector Bellerin

The most familiar name will be former Gunner Hector Bellerin, who is currently on loan in Portugal from Catalan giants Barcelona - who he made just seven appearances for before switching to Sporting on deadline day.

There will be a north London reunion of sorts with Sporting’s former Spurs academy forward Marcus Edwards, who scored against the Gunners for Vitoria Guimaraes back in 2019

Not to mention tricky Brazil left-winger Arthur Gomes, who, you may recall scored in Sporting’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Spurs back in September.

Captain and former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates has made over 250 appearances for the Lions and was a member of Uruguay’s 2022 World Cup squad along with defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte, while Hidemasa Morita is a Japan teammate of Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Having played for Wolves in the Premier League last season, Francisco Trincao joined on loan from Barcelona last summer, while veteran shot-stopper Antonio Adan has represented both Real and Atletico Madrid. The goals are supplied by Pedro Goncalves, who is their top scorer this term with 16.

Manager: Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim was placed in charge back in March 2020, who had previously enjoyed a successful playing career by representing Portugal in South Africa and Brazil during the 2010 and 2014 World Cups respectively, while part of a Benfica side that won three league titles during his time there.

After ending his career in 2017, he managed Casa Pia and Braga B in the third tier before stepping up to Braga’s top job in December 2019. He won the Portuguese League Cup, and after just 13 games was headhunted by Sporting.

In his first full season in charge, he was beaten just once in the league to end a 19-year wait for a title, and also claimed another League Cup.

During 2022, he guided the Lions into the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2009, and sealed his third-straight League Cup success to continue Sporting’s rebirth.

Estadio Jose Alvalade

After Portugal was awarded the rights to host Euro 2004, construction started on the Estadio Jose Alvalade on the site of Sporting’s former ground of the same name in 2001, which was completed two years later.

Boasting a capacity of 50,095, the new home was opened in August 2003.

As well as five matches at Euro 2004, it hosted the 2005 UEFA Cup final where the Lions were denied winning the trophy on home turf by CSKA Moscow.

During Covid, it hosted the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Champions League during behind-closed-doors matches as a neutral venue, while Portugal’s national side regularly play their home matches there.

Sporting's current form

The Leoes (Lions) are fourth in the Primeira Liga table, 15 points off leaders Benfica, who they share a city with, they still have six Portuguese internationals in their squad.

Current Form (Last Five Games)

Sporting CP: DWWWW

Arsenal: LWWWW

Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3): Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Kiwior, Tierney; Jorginho, Vieira, Xhaka; Nelson, Martinelli, Nketiah

Head to head

P4 W2 D2 L0

In October, 2018. Unai Emery’s Arsenal beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0 thanks to a Danny Welbeck goal in the Europa League, after pouncing on former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates’s error to seal victory at Estadio Jose Alvalade. The game at the Emirates two weeks later ended 0-0.

The teams also met during the 1969-70 season when Arsenal beat Sporting 3-0 (John Radford goal and a George Graham brace) at Highbury, drawing 0-0 in Portugal on their way to lifting the Fairs Cup in 1970 - which was the precursor to the UEFA Cup

Prediction:

Sporting 0-0 Arsenal