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Sporting have not won away to an English team since March 2005 (3-2 v Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup), drawing five and losing five of their last 10 trips.

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Sporting's starting XI includes a very familiar name.

Luis Suarez wears the No 97 shirt for the Portuguese champions.

But it's not the same Suarez who turned out for Liverpool and won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015.

This Suarez is a Colombia forward whose career includes a spell at Watford.

Pedro Goncalves and Francisco Trincao, who are also named in Sporting's starting XI, had spells at Wolves, while goalkeeper Joao Virgínia, who is on the bench, was once at Everton.

Arsenal

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This match has caught the attention of one or two Arsenal legends.

Will Mikel Arteta's Class of 2026 write their name into the history books?

"It's true that they are having a difficult run at the minute," three-time Arsenal Premier League winner Patrick Vieira tells TNT Sports.

"I'd just remind the players about what they have been doing since the first game of the season. There will be a lot of teams and managers who would want to be in their shoes right now."

Chris Sutton
Former striker on BBC Radio 5 Live at Emirates Stadium

Who knows with Arsenal's recent form? I think people are viewing Arsenal like they are a team who have lost confidence.

They lost to a good Man City team in the League Cup final. Mikel Arteta played the second string against Southampton, getting knocked out of the FA Cup, and they had a flat performance against Bournemouth when they lost.

But Arsenal are where they wanted to be at the start of the season. They're top of the Premier League and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They have the edge in this tie. You would expect them to see it through.

A lot of people are questioning Arsenal. They have had a blip and that's all it is. Arsenal players just have to keep their cool, and they're top of the Premier League for a reason.

Elizabeth Conway
BBC Sport Spanish football reporter

Real Madrid struggled last week against German champions Bayern Munich but there was a marked improvement in performance once Jude Bellingham came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute.

For the remainder of the encounter, the England midfielder drove Los Blancos with his trademark surging runs, and played a central role in their resurgence after going two goals down.

Since recovering from a left hamstring injury sustained in February that sidelined him for 10 games, he has featured four times, only returning to Real's starting line-up on Friday in the La Liga draw against Girona.

But last week we saw signs of Bellingham starting to find his rhythm again and combined with his experience of facing Bayern could prove key tonight.

Read more here.

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The Bayern Munich fans are already absolutely bouncing as the players warm up before kick-off.

They've packed out Allianz Arena nice and early in the hope of seeing their side qualify for a first Champions League semi-final since 2023-24.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Harry Kane returned from injury last week for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final having missed games for England then Bayern's first match back after the international break.

The forward marked his return with a goal, playing a full 90 minutes in Madrid.

It was a quiet first half for the England captain but he sprung into life just one minute into the second to score Bayern's second of the night.

The German champions faced St Pauli in the Bundeliga at the weekend but a comfortable 5-0 victory meant Kane was rested and did not appear off the bench.

Fresh and fit for tonight?

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Elizabeth Conway
BBC Sport Spanish football reporter

There is so much pressure riding on this second leg in Munich. Real Madrid have been so inconsistent domestically, they are losing to teams they should never lose to.

They lost 2-1 to Mallorca, and Mallorca are a team who will be happy to stay in Spain's top league. The Champions League was a chance to rectify Real's season.

Bayern Munich's only regret last week was that they didn't score more goals against an out-of-form Real Madrid.

It could have been three or four in favour of the German champions, who instead take a one-goal advantage into this evening's reverse leg at the Allianz Arena.

Since last week it has been more misery for Real, who drew 1-1 to mid-table side Girona in La Liga.

But, as we have said 100 times, Real know how to win this tournament and if anyone can turns things around, well you wouldn't bet against them.

John Murray
BBC football correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live

Sporting showed enough last week in Lisbon to show they are a good team and a very well coached side.

Yes. they lost but David Raya made some crucial saves.

Their away form is not as impressive but they are still capable.

They are not to be under-estimated but at the same time Arsenal will be considered favourites even though they have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions.

Despite trailing after the first leg, many Sporting fans have travelled to north London from Portugal.

Like Arsenal, who are at title rivals Manchester City on Sunday, it's a big few days for Sporting.

They return home after tonight to prepare for Sunday's Lisbon derby with Benfica.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Match day in North London.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking on TNT Sports on how big tonight is: "You're talking about the possibility to get in the semi-finals of the Champions League, it doesn't get much better than that, so we know the opportunity we have ahead and we're very excited for the game."

On how much Declan Rice pushed himself to be involved today: "That's Declan and to be fair all the boys, they want to play in these scenarios. He is fit and available."

On whether he believes he'll see the fire from his players: "Yes, 100%. I am convinced about that."

Chris Sutton
Former striker on BBC Radio 5 Live at Emirates Stadium

I do suspect the closer it gets to kick-off it will be raucous, but this could get nervy tonight.

I felt Mikel Arteta's press conference yesterday was fascinating. He was bullish and talked about "confronting it." The question is - can the players confront it?

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Bobby: Go for it Gunners. Let's not play with fear or negativity. And Arteta, stop allowing your nervousness to show on the sideline, be calm and allow the players to take the handbrake off.

Could Arsenal's Champions League schedule affect their title charge?

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha believes the "difference" between Pep Guardiola's side and Mikel Arteta's team is the schedule both sides have between the big tie at the Etihad on Sunday.

"Arsenal's players are good enough to get through this spell and go to the Etihad on Sunday and get a positive result for themselves. But the difference is Manchester City aren't in the Champions League in midweek," said Onuoha.

The Gunners have already tripped up in their title pursuit after losing to Bournemouth after their first leg tie against Sporting. Will they make the same mistake against Man City on Sunday at the Etihad?

Andros Townsend
Former Tottenham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Mikel Arteta is trying to get everyone going. Arsenal were the better side against Sporting in the first leg and if they came away with a 0-0 I would fear the worst for Arsenal. The fact they are ahead, this game tonight is the least of their worries. I think they'll be alright at the Emirates.

George Cummins
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

Mikel Arteta gave one of the most passionate displays I have seen in one of his press conferences since his arrival in December 2019 when he addressed the media on Tuesday.

"Fire. I am on fire. That's it! Nothing else," the manager said. "I am so driven. I have done so much to be in this position because I know what this club is worth.

"Now there is zero fear. It's purpose, fire and conviction that we're going to do it."

They were passionate words that were echoed by midfielder Eberechi Eze, who added: "The boss speaks well, he is passionate, and you can see the fire he has in his eyes and mind, and that has been pushed throughout the whole club.

"Regardless of what people are saying outside, it is about us and what we do, and that is all that matters."