Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Sporting
Match Time & Date:
09/03/2023
12:45 PM
Prediction: 0-1
Arsenal
Estadio Jose Alvalade will host Thursday’s Europa League game between Sporting and Arsenal, the two teams who meet for the first time in European competitions since 2018. The Gunners are high on confidence following a come-from behind win over Bournemouth, and they are likely to stick to their attacking style of play. Leonardo Trossard should recover in time to face the Lions, while Gabriel Jesus is unlikely to be risked. Eddie Nketiah is pushing for a start after missing the Bournemouth triumph with injury.
The hosts, on the other hand, are on a four-match winning run in all competitions, but Arsenal will pose a much bigger threat for Ruben Amorim’s men than their previous rivals. Paulinho should be recalled to the starting XI after scoring the winner against Portimonense, while Daniel Braganca remains in the recovery room. Anyhow, away win should be considered as Mikel Arteta can count on key players for the first leg.
Highlighted Player (Sebastian Coates):
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, on October 7, 1990, Sebastian Coates is a 196-cm-tall defender who plays for Sporting CP in Primeira Liga. Coates is the product of the hometown club Nacional, and it has to be noted that he scored eight goals in 60 appearances for the capital club in the national championship.
After ending his spell with English club Sunderland, the Uruguay international moved to Portugal, signing a loan deal with Sporting CP in January 2016. He signed a permanent contract with the Lions in February 2017.
Speaking of his international career, Sebastian Coastes made his full Uruguay debut against Chile at the 2011 Copa America. La Celeste won the trophy, with the team beating Paraguay 3-0 in the final of the competition at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires. Coates wears the number 4 shirt at Sporting CP, and his preferred foot is right.
Highlighted Team (Arsenal):
Arsenal are regarded as one of the best English teams. The Gunners have won 12 FA Cup trophies, 13 league titles and two League Cups, but they have yet to lift the Champions League trophy. Arsene Wenger’s team were on the verge of beating Barcelona in the Champions League final back in 2006, but they eventually failed to win the prestigious title.
Arsenal used to play their homes at Highbury, but in 2006 they moved to the Emirates Stadium. The capacity of the stadium is 60,260. The Gunners won their last Premier League trophy back in 2004, with the capital club going through the season without a single loss. The likes of Thierry Henry, Denis Bergkamp and Robert Pires were part of the team back then, but Arsenal have not won the league trophy ever since.
Arsenal was founded by Woolwich munitions workers as Dial Square back in 1886. It is well known that Tottenham Hotspur are Arsenal’s fiercest rivals and there have always been fireworks when the two local rivals meet in the North London derby.
Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa
Crystal Palace 
Milan 
Juventus 
Man City
Tottenham
Celta Vigo 
Barcelona 
Southampton
Liverpool
