Arsenal travel to the Estádio José Alvalade to take on Sporting CP in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday.
The Lions overcame Bodø/Glimt 5-3 on aggregate in the last 16 to book their place in the last eight, while the Gunners defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 on aggregate to advance to the quarter-finals.
Match preview
Sporting secured a 4-2 victory over Santa Clara in the Primeira Liga at the weekend, keeping pressure on Porto in the title race.
The visitors made a dream start, with Klismahn scoring just three minutes into the game to give Santa Clara an early 1-0 lead.
However, Sporting responded strongly and quickly took control of proceedings as Pedro Gonçalves equalised from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute before Daniel Bragança put them ahead in the 39th minute with a well-taken finish.
Three minutes later, Francisco Trincão extended the lead to 3-1, completing a rapid turnaround before half-time.
Gonçalo Paciência scored in the 89th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-2 before Rafael Nel sealed the victory with a goal in the 95th minute, restoring the two-goal cushion.
After losing 3-0 away to Bodø/Glimt in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, the Lions produced a stunning turnaround in Lisbon, winning 5–0 after extra time to advance on aggregate.
Sporting have historically struggled against Arsenal, failing to secure a win in seven meetings (D4 L3), with last season’s 5-1 home defeat highlighting the challenge, though they do hold the rare bragging right of knocking the Gunners out of the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League on penalties.
Arsenal suffered another setback in their quest for a historical quadruple as recent results have dealt a big blow to their hopes of a clean sweep.
After falling to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final, the Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton on Saturday.
Ross Stewart put the Saints ahead in the 35th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse, before Viktor Gyökeres restored parity for the Gunners in the 68th minute.
Shea Charles netted the winner in the 85th minute, sealing a major Cup upset for the Championship side.
However, Arsenal remain strong contenders for silverware this campaign, leading the Premier League by nine points and enjoying a promising route in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s men dispatched Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 on aggregate in the last 16 and remain the only unbeaten side in the Champions League this campaign.
Their flawless record should boost their confidence going into this game, but the Gunners must be wary of the fact that they have never won away against Portuguese opposition in the knockout stages of a major European competition before (D4 L2).
Team news
The hosts will be without Fotis Loannidis, Geovany Quenda and Nuno Santos due to injuries, while Luis Guilherme and Ivan Fresneda are doubtful.
The Lions will also be without their captain Morten Hjulmand, who is suspended for this fixture.
Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off with an injury in the Southampton defeat and is a doubt.
He joins Leandro Trossard and Jurrien Timber as doubts for the trip to Lisbon.
Meanwhile, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino are confirmed absentees with injuries for the Gunners.
Predicted line-ups
Sporting CP (4-2-3-1): Silva, Vagiannidis, Diomande, Inacio, Mangas, Braganca, Morita, Catamo, Trincao, Goncalves, Suarez.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Saliba, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Saka.
Prediction: Sporting CP 1-2 Arsenal.