Arsenal and Sporting will reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
The Gunners drew first blood in this tie by netting a late goal and a 1-0 win in the Portuguese capital last midweek.
However, since then, Mikel Arteta's side have slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
That bruising setback has piled the pressure on title-chasing Arsenal, who now sit just six points above Manchester City ahead of this week’s top-of-the-table showdown at the Etihad.
As for Sporting, they bounced back from last week's loss at the first attempt by claiming a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Estrela Amadora in the Primera Liga on Saturday.
If the Lions are to turn this tie around and extend their stay in Europe’s premier club competition, they will have to do something they have only managed once so far this season, which is winning away from home on the continent.
How the bookies view it: Gunners to get the job done
Arsenal do not necessarily need to win on Wednesday night, as a draw would be enough to see them through, however, the hosts are heavily fancied at 1/2 with Betfred.
The stalemate is priced at 10/3 with the same firm, while a Sporting success is an unfancied 11/2.
Head to head: Advantage Arsenal
Across their previous six European encounters, Arsenal have come out on top three times while the other three encounters were level after 90 minutes. A repeat of last week’s 1-0 victory for the Gunners is priced at 13/2 with Betfred.
Players to watch: Viktor offers value
Viktor Gyokeres has been in strong scoring form recently for both club and country. The former Sporting striker has found the net in four of his last six appearances for Arsenal, making him a value option for a goal or an assist on Wednesday night at evens with Paddy Power.
Maximiliano Araujo escaped a booking in last week’s first leg despite committing seven fouls. The Uruguayan left-back may not be so lucky at the Emirates, though, and looks an appealing option to be booked for a 14th time this season at 21/10 with Ladbrokes.
Predicted line-ups
Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori were all forced to watch from the sidelines on Saturday due to injury, and their involvement on Wednesday night remains in doubt.
Morten Hjulmand should return to Sporting’s starting XI after serving a suspension last week, while injuries keep Fotis Ioannidis and Luis Guilherme out of contention.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres
Sporting: Silva; Fresneda, Diomande, Inacio, Araujo; Braganca, Hjulmand; Catamo, Trincao, Goncalves; Suarez
Anything else catch the eye?
Given that the onus will be on Sporting to attack at some point on Wednesday night, the visitors hold plenty of appeal to register a minimum of four corners at 5/6 on bet365.
The Portuguese heavyweights are averaging a sizable 7.25 corners per game in the Primeira Liga this season.
The case for siding with this selection is strengthened by the fact that Bayer Leverkusen racked up eight corners at this venue in the previous round.
GambleAware