La Liga Preview: Valladolid – Sporting Gijon

Los Rojiblancos complete their 2009 with a trip to the Primera Division's draw specialists...

Dec 18, 2009 4:00:00 PM

More On :  Sporting de Gijon, Valladolid, Valladolid vs Sporting de Gijon
Pele, Luis Fabiano, Sevilla, Valladolid (MARCA)
Kick-Off: Sunday, December 20, 2009. 17:00 CET
Jose Zorrilla, Valladolid

Draw-tastic

For a period last weekend it seemed likely that Valladolid were about to slip into real danger over the Christmas period, trailing 1-0 to lowly Malaga, who had taken the advantage at the Jose Zorrilla thanks to Duda. But Valladolid dominated the game, grabbing a crucial leveller as visiting defender Jesus Gamez put through his own net.
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The somewhat fortuitous nature of their levelling goal does not take away from the importance of a point to La Liga’s 13th placed side, who are only a point away from Real Zaragoza, the team currently occupying the top relegation spot. However, their rally from behind last weekend should not be allowed to cloud the fact that all three points should really have been theirs.

Wins have not come easily for Valladolid, however, with no triumph in league football in their last six encounters. Though a draw a fortnight ago against Sevilla away from home was undoubtedly an impressive result, three points are needed on a more regular basis if they are to really push away from the drop zone.

Sporting Gijon have been on a poor run themselves lately, and the Pucela will want to exploit their guests’ fragility to their own benefit on Sunday afternoon.

Content

Until losing 1-0 to Tenerife away from home on December 6, Sporting had actually boasted a very respectable league record, comprising of five wins and five draws in their opening 12 matches. Considered to be a makeweight side at the season’s outset, there could be little doubt that eyebrows had been raised about their impressive performances, so a follow-up loss to Sevilla last weekend was largely expected.

Even though his side did lose against the Rojiblancos, head coach Manuel Preciado was broadly happy with the performance that they mustered. “[Sevilla goalkeeper Andres] Palop made a couple of incredible saves and after Kanoute scored it was difficult to come back,” he told the press. “In the second half we had chances to equalise. Absences were noted, although I have no complaints about my players, they fought hard and delivered their best effort at all times.”

Furthermore, the coach indicated that his side’s focus should now fully switch towards the coming game in Valladolid. “Next week we have a game [against Valladolid] of our own level in the league and we need to be prepared thoroughly to try to go on holiday with the most points possible,” he indicated.

Victory would leave Valladolid happily perched on 23 points over the Christmas interval, a position they would have accepted at the outset of the season and a foundation for building on after the festive period.

FORM GUIDE

Valladolid

DREW 1-1 (h) Malaga (La Liga, December 13)

DREW 1-1 (a) Sevilla (La Liga, December 5)

DREW 3-3 (h) Tenerife (La Liga, November 22)

LOST 3-1 (a) Villarreal (La Liga, November 29)

LOST 1-0 (a) Mallorca (Copa del Rey, November 11)

Sporting Gijon

LOST 1-0 (h) Sevilla (La Liga, December 13)

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)

TEAM NEWS

Valladolid

Luis Prieto is considered doubtful after picking up an injury in his right leg on Wednesday.

Sisi and Pedro Lopez are again primed to be sidelined.

Borja returns after suspension.

Probable Starting XI: Villar; Barragan, Baraja, Luis Prieto, Marcos; Rubio, Medunjanin; Aleman, Canobbio, Marquitos; Da Silva Costa

Sporting Gijon

Mate Bilic faces another three weeks on the sidelines after tearing a right thigh muscle last week, while Roberto Canella is again likely to be sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Luis Moran seems to have overcome the back problems that prevented him playing against Sevilla, but the news is not so good regarding Kike Mateo, who has a hamstring problem.

Andreu will be available again after missing last weekend’s match due to the flu.

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

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Valladolid

Young Brazilian forward Diego da Silva Costa has proven to be a fine goal scorer in the early weeks of the campaign, registering six goals in 13 games. Valladolid will need him to be at his best if they are to break down a visiting defence that has only lost four goals in six games against sides currently languishing in the bottom half of the table.

Sporting Gijon

David Barral will be charged with the responsibility of leading the Gijon attack because of injuries in the attacking make-up. Manuel Preciado’s side have only scored on 14 occasions this term, so it is especially important that the former Real Madrid B man improves upon his one goal to date. Valladolid are conceding frequently and openings will doubtless make themselves available.

PREDICTION

Draws have been the order of the day for Valladolid of late, and against Sporting a similar result is probably the most likely outcome. While neither side has been in the most electrifying of form recently, neither has especially struggled. Valladolid boast just one home win this term, while Sporting’s away record is similarly weak.

Real Valladolid 1-1 Sporting Gijon

Robin Bairner, Goal.com
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