Arsenal – Sporting

The Portuguese team will disappoint those who have bet on favourites

The first encounter between the Portuguese and English clubs was quite entertaining. In the middle of the first half, the Canaries' young talent William Saliba scored, but the visitors failed to maintain their advantage even before the break. On 34 minutes, Gonçalo Inácio equalized with an Edwards cross. In the second half Sporting took the lead thanks to the efforts of Paulinho. The Lisbon player scored again but the local fans were not happy with Morita's effort. An own goal by the Japanese player was booked by the referee to make it 2-2 but that proved to be the final. The rivals will start all over again in London, which does not add much joy to Mikel Arteta and his charges. Bookmakers, despite the Canaries' tough schedule, have deemed the home side favourites for the encounter with odds of 1.37 to win. Arsenal are currently playing under unrelenting pressure from Manchester City in the Premier League. The London side are two points ahead of Guardiola's club at the time of writing and are preparing to take on local Fulham at Craven Cottage. Even in the event of a win against the Cottagers, Arsenal face Crystal Palace just two days after facing Sporting, who themselves do not beat anyone in the Premier League and very often do not let others win. If you put the Europa League on the scales for Arsenal and the possibility of becoming champions for the first time in 19 years, no one in London will even think twice, having chosen the interests on the national stage. Sporting's situation is different. For the first time in a long time, the Green and White may not finish in the Champions League zone of the Primera League. In this regard, should assess the Europa League not only as a European tournament that would be honourable to win but as a springboard into the elite European tournament next season. Sporting are scheduled to face a mid-table side at home before travelling to London, with a duel with an outsider upon their return. Before the first match against Arsenal, the Lions won four times in a row, so you can consider their playing form good. In the first leg, Sporting proved their ability to play on equal terms with the Canaries. We will bet in their favour in the return leg as well, thanks to their higher motivation.