Arsenal

The London side are going through one of their worst spells of the season. Despite their victory in the first leg played in Lisbon, Mikel Arteta’s side recently lost the EFL Cup final to Manchester City, were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Southampton, and have seen Pep Guardiola’s men close the gap to just one point in the Premier League following their defeat to Bournemouth.

Despite this, the ‘Gunners’ know this match is crucial. If they manage to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals, they will regain confidence for the decisive stretch of the season. Mikel Arteta is aware of this and will go all out for the match, as the lead they brought back from Portugal is minimal and they cannot afford to take any risks at any stage.

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

• Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
• Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City
• Southampton 2-1 Arsenal
• Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal
• Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth

Sporting CP

Sporting CP, for their part, travel to London with nothing to lose. Their Champions League campaign has been outstanding, and they know that all the pressure to reach the semi-finals is on Arsenal. Despite the defeat in added time in the first leg at the José Alvalade, the Lions know they can compete and that if they play to their full potential, they will have a chance.

The Portuguese side finished among the top eight teams in the group stage on their own merits. Furthermore, in the Primeira Liga they are two points behind Porto, with a chance of winning the title. They will go into this match without any hang-ups, without pressure, knowing that if they manage to reach the Champions League semi-finals, they will have made history. The rest is very difficult, but not impossible.

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

Ioannidis, Quenda and Luis Guilherme

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

Sporting CP have no suspended players for this match.

Sporting CP’s latest results

• Sporting CP 5-0 Bodo Glimt
• Alberca 1-4 Sporting CP
• Sporting CP 4-2 Santa Clara
• Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal
• Estrela 0-1 Sporting CP

Arsenal v Sporting CP: statistics

Arsenal are in a delicate situation, having lost three of their last five matches.

However, despite their latest defeat against Bournemouth, their record at the Emirates Stadium is strong. They have conceded just two draws and two defeats all season at home. Sporting CP, for their part, have lost only one of their last ten away matches.

Arsenal v Sporting CP: predictions

A more open game is expected than the one played in Lisbon a week ago. The Portuguese side must go in search of a goal to level the tie. The Gunners, for their part, are playing at home, where they know they are stronger, and will look to score early to play with greater composure. In this scenario, where Sporting CP must open up more, Arsenal remain the favourites to win and qualify for the Champions League semi-finals.