Betting tips for Sporting vs Arsenal: Europa League preview and odds

Our betting expert has three Sporting vs Arsenal tips for Thursday’s Europa League round-of-16 first leg (5.45pm kick-off). Scroll down to see the expert analysis behind his selections.

Sporting vs Arsenal betting tips

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Gunners to struggle

While it may seem strange to bet against a side aiming to make it five wins on the bounce in all competitions, Arsenal have been made to work extremely hard in recent weeks, and it is fair to say their main focus this season is on winning the Premier League.

The Gunners scored twice in stoppage time to beat Aston Villa 4-2 before then edging past Leicester City 1-0. A comfortable 4-0 success over Everton followed before they then had to come from 2-0 down at home to beat Bournemouth 3-2.

It all feels a bit anxious at times when watching Mikel Arteta’s men right now. Adding to the concerns is that they are set to be without Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus – three of their main attacking options – and the pressure to score shifts to others in the squad.

Sporting will see this as a real opportunity to take a lead to the Emirates for the return leg, and they are in solid form ahead of Arsenal’s visit, as they have also won four in a row and are unbeaten in their previous five.

Ruben Amorim’s side have also won eight of their past nine league matches at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, and they look a generous price to pick up a victory in the first leg.

Sporting vs Arsenal tip 1: Sporting to win @ 11/4 with BoyleSports

Portuguese to maintain scoring form

One player ripping it up for Sporting this season is Pedro Gonçalves, also referred to as Pote, and his 12 strikes in the league have him leading his club’s scoring charts.

The 24-year-old may have failed to find the back of the net in the Champions League group stage this season, but he has made his mark in the Europa League after scoring twice in the 4-0 triumph over Midtjylland.

That was the second straight brace for Pote, who got two goals in the previous game against Chaves, and he looks set to be a real danger on Thursday.

Sporting vs Arsenal tip 2: Pedro Gonçalves to score any time @ 5/2 with BoyleSports

Brazilian to lead the line

With Trossard, Nketiah and Jesus unlikely to feature, a large chunk of the scoring responsibilities will be placed on Gabriel Martinelli, who is set to be played through the middle in Portugal.

The Brazil international has got four goals in his previous four appearances, grabbing a particularly crucial one in the win over Leicester, and he shoud relish the opportunity to play in the middle of Arsenal’s front three.

If Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe can get good service to Martinelli, there is every chance he can test Sporting’s defence and get some shots off.

Sporting vs Arsenal tip 3: Gabriel Martinelli to have over 1.5 shots on target @ 16/5 with BoyleSports

Sporting vs Arsenal odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change