La Liga Preview: Sporting Gijon - Villarreal

Saturday, 19:00 CET, El Molinon, Gijon, Spain

On-form Villarreal travel to face shock troops Sporting Gijon on Saturday evening in the Primera Division, and there has been a role reversal in terms of the pre-season aspirations of both these sides.

Flying High

Sporting, masterminded by the wily Manolo Preciado, endured some embarrassing defeats last season but bounced back, against all the odds, to retain their top flight status on a frantic final day’s action.

As a result their focus at the beginning of the 2009/10 campaign would have been simple; pick up points against the teams likely to be directly competing against them in a relegation tussle. However, their run of results has confounded the critics who perceived the difficult second season to be a step too far for the men from El Molinon.

They remain unbeaten at home, which includes a visit from the monolithic spending power that is Real Madrid, and on the road have shocked Athletic Bilbao and embarrassed Valencia. There is something endearing about the Rojiblancos; despite being faced with a shoestring budget Preciado ensures that they always maintain a football-playing philosophy, and as for their supporters, well, the 8,000 that travelled to La Coruna last month in a country renowned for its lack of away fans speaks volumes about the passion that emanates from the club.

They currently sit in seventh place in the table, losing just two matches in 11 and are positioned just behind the leaders – ironically, the place Villarreal would have expected to find themselves at this point in the season.

Submarines Rising

Ernesto Valverde endured a horrendous opening period to his tenure but the Yellow Submarines have since made strides in the right direction, much to the relief of everyone connected to the club. No win in seven has become three wins out of four domestically in the space of a mere month, and the confidence is slowly returning to a squad whose current position in the table belies the quality Valverde has at his disposal.

Nilmar is beginning to look a worthy acquisition after doubters questioned his adaptability to the Spanish game, while Giuseppe Rossi’s weekend goal will also do him the world of good.

However, their away form remains a concern – they are yet to notch a win away from El Madrigal in any competition so far this season, and below-par defending has gone some way to hinder any attempt to do so.

But both these sides like to play an open, attacking style, and there could be a possibility of a goal glut as two positive outfits go head-to-head.

FORM GUIDE

Sporting Gijon

22 Nov Xerez 0-0 Sporting Gijon (La Liga)
08 Nov Sporting Gijon 1-0 Espanyol (La Liga)
01 Nov Deportivo La Coruna 1-1 Sporting Gijon (La Liga)
24 Oct Sporting Gijon 0-0 Real Madrid (La Liga)
18 Oct Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Sporting Gijon (La Liga)

Villarreal

23 Nov Villarreal 3-1 Valladolid (La Liga)
10 Nov Villarreal 1-0 UD Puertollano (Copa del Rey)
08 Nov Sevilla 3-2 Villarreal (La Liga)
05 Nov Villarreal 4-1 Lazio (Europa League)
01 Nov Villarreal 5-0 Tenerife (La Liga)

TEAM NEWS

Sporting Gijon

First teamers Alberto Botia and Roberto Canella missed the match against Xerez as a result of flu, but coach Preciado is relieved that no other member of his squad has been struck down this week. The coach, who signed a new deal this week, also welcomes back Diego Castro in the reckoning for a starting spot.

Possible XI: (4-4-2): Colinas - Ramos, Botia Gregory, Canella - Luis Moran, Michel, Rivera, Diego Castro - De las Cuevas, Barral/Bilic

Villarreal

Cani picked up an injury during the international break and is judged to be 50/50 for the match, While Santiago Cazorla returned to training this week but is unlikely to play any part in the match.

Possible XI (4-4-2): Diego Lopez – Angel, Marcano, Godin, Capdevila – Escudero, Senna, Eguren, Pires – Nilmar, Rossi

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sporting Gijon

Midfielder Miguel de las Cuevas has been an inspirational factor in Sporting’s surprise start to the season, netting four times in 10 starts as well providing two assists. His versatility allows him to play an advanced role from either wing or as a supporting striker, and the former Atletico Madrid man is enjoying a regular run of football after being on the sidelines for much of his time at the Vicente Calderon.

Villarreal

Nilmar finally looks to have translated his form for Brazil to his club side following his big money move to El Madrigal in the summer, and despite a slow start he netted a vital double against Valladolid last weekend to give his confidence a much-needed boost. If he can go on a scoring run, then a rise up the table could coincide for Villarreal.

PREDICTION

Fortress El Madrigal may have returned for Villarreal, but they remain vulnerable on the road, and will do well to grind out a point against a buoyant Sporting side.

Sporting Gijon 1-1 Villarreal