⚽ UEFA Champions League · Quarter-Final Preview
For Arsenal fans, this is the tie. Three consecutive Champions League quarter-finals, and Mikel Arteta's side is yet to reach the last four. That ends here — or at least, that's the plan. Sporting CP are not easy opposition — the Portuguese champions just completed one of the great comeback wins in recent UCL history, overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Bodo/Glimt. But Arsenal, Premier League leaders, are the clear favourites.
Here's everything Malaysian fans need: kick-off times, how to watch on Sooka, form, the Viktor Gyökeres homecoming angle, and our prediction.
Sporting CP vs Arsenal kicks off at 3:00 AM Malaysian time (MYT / GMT+8) on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. The second leg at the Emirates is on Thursday, 16 April at 3:00 AM MYT. Both legs are live on beIN Sports, available on Sooka for CelcomDigi subscribers.
Arsenal play their third Champions League quarter-final in as many seasons. Arteta's side beat Sporting 5-1 at this very ground in last season's league phase. The return leg at the Emirates on April 16 gives Arsenal home advantage when it matters most.
Malaysian fans can watch Sporting vs Arsenal live on beIN Sports (Astro Ch 820) or stream on Sooka. CelcomDigi subscribers access Sooka via Mega Add-Ons from RM8.90/month (Postpaid), StreamMORE with the first month free, or SpeedSTREAM for Prepaid users.
| Platform | Channel | How to access |
|---|---|---|
| Astro (TV) | beIN Sports (Ch 820) | Sports Pack required |
| Sooka (Stream) | beIN Sports | Via CelcomDigi add-ons ⭐ |
| Add-On | Best for | Key perk |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Add-Ons | Postpaid users | From RM8.90/month |
| StreamMORE | Postpaid & Prepaid | 1st month FREE + bonus data |
| SpeedSTREAM | Prepaid users | Unlimited streaming data |
Viktor Gyökeres was an Arsenal striker before joining Sporting CP, where he became the most prolific striker in Portuguese football. The Swedish forward faces his former club — and this time a Champions League semi-final is the prize.
This subplot alone makes the tie compelling. Gyökeres was recruited by Arsenal and developed at the club before Sporting snapped him up — and he has been extraordinary since. Sporting's comeback against Bodo/Glimt showed their mentality: 34 shots to six in the second leg, three goals in regulation to force extra time, and two more in extra time to complete a stunning 5-3 aggregate win.
Arsenal are Premier League leaders and in excellent domestic form. The UCL run continues: 3-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16 was professional and controlled, with Eberechi Eze scoring a stunning volley and Declan Rice adding a clinical finish. Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, William Saliba, and Gabriel form the spine of a side that can compete with anyone in Europe.
Sporting under Rui Borges play high-intensity, high-press football. Viktor Gyökeres faces Arsenal, his former club. Maxi Araujo scored the crucial extra-time goal in the Bodo comeback. Defensively, they are organised but have shown vulnerabilities against teams who can hold the ball and play through the press. Arsenal won 5-1 here last season.
Vote below — third time lucky for Arteta's Gunners?
Arsenal are strong favourites (52.5% win probability away) and the better team on paper. The key risk is Sporting's relentless pressing style. Arsenal's experience of this ground (5-1 win last season) and their squad quality should see them through, though a tense second leg at the Emirates is likely.
Sporting showed against Bodo/Glimt that they can run teams ragged. But Arteta's side are built around ball retention and positional control — exactly the attributes you need to frustrate a high-pressing team. The Gyökeres subplot adds a wildcard — facing your former club in a UCL quarter-final, at the ground where you developed, produces extraordinary motivation.
Our prediction: Sporting CP 0–2 Arsenal (Leg 1) · Arsenal win the tie, first-ever UCL semi-final under Arteta
The first leg kicks off at 3:00 AM Malaysian time (MYT / GMT+8) on Wednesday, 8 April 2026 at the Estádio José Alvalade. The second leg at the Emirates is on Thursday, 16 April at 3:00 AM MYT.
Both legs are live on beIN Sports (Astro Ch 820). CelcomDigi subscribers can stream on Sooka via Mega Add-Ons (from RM8.90/month), StreamMORE (first month free), or SpeedSTREAM for Prepaid users.
Viktor Gyökeres was an Arsenal player before joining Sporting CP, where he became one of Europe's most prolific strikers. He now faces his former club in these UCL quarter-finals.
Arsenal have not yet reached a Champions League semi-final under Mikel Arteta. This is their third consecutive quarter-final — a semi-final breakthrough would be a landmark moment for the club.
Arsenal are clear favourites at around 52.5% win probability even away in Lisbon. They are Premier League leaders and won 5-1 at this ground last season.
Three years in the quarter-finals, zero semi-finals. The narrative writes itself. Sporting CP are a genuinely dangerous opponent, capable of shocking teams that underestimate them. But on quality, form, and squad depth, Arsenal are the clear pick to progress.
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