Sporting Lisbon take on the visitors Arsenal in the round 5 match of UEFA Champions League group stage. The match will be played on Tuesday, November 26th at Estádio José Alvalade (Lisbon).
Sporting Lisbon has recently been forced into a major transition. Under Ruben Amorim, the "Lions" achieved significant success, including ending their championship drought and reclaiming the Primeira Liga title in 2023/24 after outlasting Benfica. However, the new season began with heartbreak: after leading 3-0 in the Super Cup, they allowed Porto to stage a dramatic comeback. Despite this, Sporting maintained a perfect record in the league and shone in the Champions League. Their standout performances include a resounding victory over Manchester City, powered by a hat-trick from Viktor Gyökeres. However, just as momentum was building, the club allowed Amorim to depart for Manchester United during the international break, leaving Sporting to adapt without the mastermind behind their recent success. Despite losing their coach, Gyökeres remains a key weapon, consistently finding the net. Their ability to hold firm defensively at home has been a hallmark this season.
| 2 x £10 Free Bet | Review | |||
| 100$-500$ for No Lose Free Bets | Review | |||
| 100% up to £200 | Review | |||
| Not available | Review |
Arsenal struggling amid mid-season dip. The Gunners, under Mikel Arteta, has been on an upward trajectory, coming close to dethroning Manchester City in the Premier League last season. They also made a strong return to the Champions League, topping their group. This season started promisingly, including a resilient draw away at City. However, a mid-season slump has seen their form deteriorate. In the Champions League, while they managed an impressive win over PSG, their struggles were evident in a narrow victory over Shakhtar Donetsk and a disappointing 0-1 loss to AC Milan. Their league performances have mirrored these inconsistencies, raising concerns about their ability to maintain their early-season promise. The Gunners have struggled with creativity in recent games, relying heavily on individual brilliance. Their form away from home has been particularly inconsistent in recent weeks.
Sporting and Arsenal have met four times recently, all in the Europa League. Arsenal claimed one victory, while the remaining three matches ended in draws. The most memorable encounter was in 2023, where Sporting knocked Arsenal out on penalties in the Round of 16. While Arsenal is the nominal favorite, Sporting’s strong home form and the momentum carried over from their previous results make this a tricky fixture for the Gunners. Sporting Lisbon double chance (win or draw) offers value, and Gyökeres as an anytime goalscorer could be a worthwhile side bet.
Prediction for the match: Sporting Lisbon not to lose (1X).
