Is Arsenal vs Benfica on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Europa League fixture
Arsenal will look to find a way past Benfica in the second leg of the opponents’ last-32 second leg in Athens tonight, having drawn 1-1 in the first leg in Rome last week.
Pizzi put Benfica ahead from the penalty spot in that game, with Bukayo Saka netting within minutes to grab a crucial ‘away’ goal for the Gunners.
FOLLOW LIVE: Arsenal take on Benfica in the Europa League
That could prove especially useful when one factors in Arsenal’s form heading into this second leg; Mikel Arteta’s side have suffered defeat in four of their last eight matches across all competitions, downed 1-0 by Manchester City in the Premier League last time out.
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Benfica are 15 points behind leaders Sporting in the Primera Division, but have only lost three league matches this season.
Coronavirus travel restrictions mean that Thursday’s round-of-32 second-leg match is a ‘home’ game for Arsenal, despite them playing 2,000 miles away from London at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis in Piraeus, home of Greek champions Olympiacos.
When is the match?
The game kicks off at 5.55pm this evening.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport. Subscribers can also stream the match via the BT Sport website and app.
Official line ups
Arsenal: Leno; Bellerin, Gabriel, David Luiz, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka; Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Saka; Aubameyang
Benfica: Helton; Verissimo, Otamendi, Vertonghen; Goncalves, Taarabt, Weigl, Grimaldo; Pizzi, Seferovic, Rafa
Odds
Arsenal: 17/20
Draw: 11/4
Benfica: 3/1
Prediction
Arsenal should have gotten more out of the first leg than a 1-1 draw, and they impressed at times against Man City last time out despite coming up short. They must build on those performances to avoid a slip-up here or even an arduous night involving extra-time. The latter feels almost inevitable, doesn’t it? Arsenal 1-1 Benfica (Arsenal to win in extra-time).
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