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Although it was Arsenal that emerged from the first leg of this tie with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Kai Havertz’s injury-time goal, Sporting were not without hope.
They missed two big chances among their five shots on target, so evidently Sporting have the ability to cause problems to what is, typically, a very strong defensive unit.
Both sides also hit the woodwork and there were eight saves made by the two goalkeepers; all of which hints at the possibility of this second leg at the Emirates Stadium being an entertaining and action-packed affair – particularly given the context of the fixture.
If this were a boxing match, Arsenal would like to keep it long with the jab and win on points. Sporting, meanwhile, may be cagey early on before looking to throw a flurry of knockout punches late on.
But which approach will ultimately prove to be the most successful?
Arsenal v Sporting Tips
Arsenal Goals Range: 1-2 @ 8/11 (bet365)
Half-Time Correct Score: 0-0 @ 9/4 (bet365)
Half With Most Goals: Second @ 21/20 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Biding Their Time
Other than playing on home soil, there is no onus on Arsenal to go out and assert their dominance here with an attacking display – protecting that one-goal lead will be Mikel Arteta’s main ambition.
Sporting, meanwhile, are unlikely to come flying out of the blocks either – more on that in a moment. They will surely bide their time and wait to more attack more aggressively as the game opens up later on.
When the Portuguese side does start to commit more bodies forward, more space and more opportunities are likely to come Arsenal’s way – expect them to take advantage at least once, maybe twice… but hopefully no more than that.
Tip: Arsenal Goals Range: 1-2 @ 8/11 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Arsenal score one or two goals… but no more and no less.
Cagey Opening
It’s a bit of a gamble in every sense of the word when backing a goalless first half, but the nature of this tie – as finely poised at it is – lends itself to a cagey opening chapter.
As mentioned above, Sporting are unlikely to go all-in too early; an Arsenal goal in the first half effectively ends their chances of coming out of the tie victorious.
But why would the Gunners throw caution to the wind either? There’s no incentive for Arteta’s side to play in an overly attacking way; they will instead look to manage the game by controlling possession and not committing too many bodies forward.
Tip: Half-Time Correct Score: 0-0 @ 9/4 (bet365)
Explanation: If there are no goals in the first half, this bet lands.
Late Drama
If our reading of this game is accurate, then our third selection will tie nicely into our first and second.
Let’s assume that the first half is, ideally, goalless. At some point, Sporting will have to break out of their compact shape and commit more aggressively to finding the net.
That will increase their chances of scoring, but also perhaps enhance Arsenal’s hopes of notching on the counter-attack, too.
The second half of second leg ties can often be chaotic, all-or-nothing affairs… hopefully, as far as our bets are concerned, that’s the tale of the tape at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Tip: Half With Most Goals: Second @ 21/20 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if more goals are scored in the second half than the first half.
Arsenal v Sporting: Match result odds
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.