La Liga Preview: Sporting Gijon - Sevilla

After defeat last weekend, the home side will be aiming to get back on track against a visiting team who will be missing some familiar faces...

Dec 11, 2009 4:48:14 PM

More On :  Sevilla, Sporting de Gijon, Sporting de Gijon vs Sevilla
Fred Kanoute, McGregor, Sevilla, Glasgow Rangers (MARCA)
Kick-Off: Sunday, December 13, 2009. 21:00 CET
El Molinon, Gijon

Punching Above Their Weight

Having finished 14th in La Liga last season, there were no delusions of grandeur around El Molinon at the outset of this campaign. Quite simply, the remit for Manolo Preciado was to maintain Sporting Gijon’s top flight status.
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More than three months into the new campaign, and there can be few grumbles from the hierarchy of the club, who, like everyone else, have been astounded by the impressive forward strides the Asturias outfit have made. Considered to be relegation possibles, los Rojiblancos have lifted themselves to the lofty status of European candidates, and their fine form is showing few signs of abating.

The visit of Champions League hopefuls Sevilla will not worry Sporting, who like to play in an offensive manner. Indeed, they have already recorded a number of impressive results this season, including a solid point against Real Madrid on their own turf, where they remain unbeaten.

Last weekend there was something of a slip, going down 2-1 to mid-table Tenerife after taking the initiative early through Diego Castro. That was, however, only their third loss in league play all season, and one of the others was against mighty Barcelona.

Sevilla provide difficult opposition to bounce back against, but if Preciado can mastermind a victory here, then the club really can dream of achieving something notable this season.

Great Expectations

The early season swagger of Sevilla has been curtailed a little in recent games, with drawn games at home costing Manolo Jimenez’s side, who have slipped nine points behind Barcelona’s searing pace. Dropped points against the likes of Malaga and Valladolid, modest sides by La Liga standards, cannot be afforded if they have serious title pretensions.

In Europe things continue to run smoothly, with a no-fuss mid-week win over Scottish champions Rangers sealed by Frederic Kanoute’s penalty – the only goal of a game ultimately meaningless to both sides. The Spanish side were impressive, though, creating a hatful of scoring opportunities, which pleased their boss.

“I always like it when my team creates 25 chances, no matter who we play,” he said. “We have many players out of action and have an important game against Sporting [ahead on Sunday].”

Jimenez is correct; Sevilla are arguably the side best placed to challenge the Real Madrid-Barcelona duopoly. To achieve such a heady feat, they cannot afford to drop points, even at testing venues such as El Molinon.  

FORM GUIDE

Sporting

LOST 2-1 (a) Tenerife (La Liga, December 6)

WON 1-0 (h) Villarreal (La Liga, November 28)

DREW 0-0 (a) Xerez (La Liga, November 22)

DREW 1-1 (h) Recreativo (Copa del Rey, November 10)

WON 1-0 (h) Espanyol (La Liga, November 8)

Sevilla

WON 1-0 (h) Rangers (Champions League, December 9)

DREW 1-1 (h) Valladolid (La Liga, December 5)

DREW 1-1 (h) Malaga (La Liga, November 28)

LOST 1-0 (a) Unirea Urziceni (Champions League, November 24)

WON 2-1 (a) Tenerife (La Liga, November 21)


TEAM NEWS

Sporting

The hosts have suffered from a couple of blows in the lead-up to this encounter, primarily regarding striker Mate Bilic, who has suffered a tear to his right thigh muscle and will therefore miss at least a month of action.

Furthermore, Roberto Canella suffered a hamstring injury on Thursday. Though scans have not revealed the extent of his problem, he is not expected to feature.

Diego Castro and Luis Moran quit Thursday’s session early, but it is thought that this was simply precautionary. Miguel de las Cuevas and Gregory picked up problems against Tenerife but neither is considered doubtful.

Andreu is still at home with the flu.

Probable Starting XI: Colinas; Ramos, Botia, Gregory, Jose Angel; Matabuena, Rivera; Luis Moran, De las Cuevas, Castro; Barral

Sevilla

A foot injury kept Luis Fabiano out of the midweek Champions League encounter with Rangers and he will continue to watch from the sidelines at the weekend, though this is through suspension as well as his physical problem.

In addition, Sebastien Squillaci continues to suffer from some discomfort in his ankle and will probably not be involved. Julien Escude is training with a mask but did not play against Rangers as he had not yet kicked a ball while Sergio Sanchez is receiving treatment. Manuel Redondo or Marc Valiente could make the step up from the reserves if necessary.

There is better news elsewhere. Midweek scorer Frederic Kanoute was withdrawn from Wednesday’s game with a shoulder injury, but he is fully expected to be available.

Adriano has returned to training with his team-mates.

Probable Starting XI: Javi Varas; Konko, Dragutinovic, Redondo, Fernando Navarro; Navas, Zokora, Renato, Perotti; Negredo, Kanoute

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sporting

Alicante-born attacking midfielder Miguel de las Cuevas is poised to be a key player for Sporting not only at the weekend, but also over the course of the next month while Bilic recovers from injury. The former Atletico Madrid midfielder is currently the club’s top scorer in league play with four strikes and they will need him to increase his efforts if their fine form is to continue over the festive period.

Sevilla

Diego Perotti has just put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him with the club until 2015, boasting a buy-out clause of around €48 million. The talented winger will want to celebrate his new deal with a champagne performance and may well get the opportunity to feature on the left flank. At 21-years-old, the tricky flanker has made great progress this season, even making his international debut for Argentina against Spain recently.

PREDICTION

With Sevilla missing players and Sporting so strong at home, it will be immensely difficult for the visitors to grab a priceless victory. Instead, buoyant Sporting should start as marginal favourites in a game that promises to be an intriguing affair.

Sporting Gijon 1-1 Sevilla

Robin Bairner, Goal.com
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