Whatever happens in Sunday's encounter at El Molinon, you can bet your house on the fact that it will not be a draw...Win Or Bust
It is hard to find a more appealing team for the neutral than Sporting Gijon. Having been promoted to the top flight after finishing third in the Segunda Division last season, the Asturians apparently decided to go for broke every weekend, come what may. The result is a team that, after 20 rounds, is yet to share the points on a single occasion.
They go into this weekend, however, in damp spirits.They have lost their last two league games (including a 5-1 hammering at Getafe last weekend), and, to make matters worse, were dumped out of the Copa del Rey in midweek. Unfortunately for the club, clear signs are starting to emerge that their hustle and bustle style may be catching up with them.
Sporting score a lot of goals (27), but they also concede an enormous amount; 44 so far, to be precise. That's an average of 3.55 goals scored in every match they play, making them one of La Liga's most entertaining teams. Indeed, they could teach their opponents a thing or two about pleasing the crowd.
On The Rise
Until recently, Sevilla were a source of guaranteed entertainment. This season, however, Manolo Jimenez has focused more on functionality rather than style, leading to a fair amount of disgruntled fans. The results, however, have been impressive.
The fact that nine of Sevilla's wins have been by a one-goal margin embodies their approach to this season. With just 18 goals conceded, their defensive record towers over all their opponents, except for Barcelona. They may be boring at times, but with 38 points, they are firm favourites to finish in the top four, and perhaps even challenge Real Madrid in second.
They were brought back down to earth last weekend, however, when they suffered a shock 2-0 loss at home to Racing Santander. Spirits were then buoyed with a last minute win against Valencia in the Copa del Rey, which saw Sevilla into the last four, unlike Sporting. They will need to feed of that energy in what will surely be a frantic encounter at El Molinon.
FORM GUIDE
Sporting Gijon
LOST 2-1 (H) Athletic Bilbao (Copa del Rey Quarter-Finals Second Leg, January 28)
LOST 5-1 (A) Getafe (Primera Division Matchday 20, January 25)
DREW 0-0 (A) Athletic Bilbao (Copa del Rey Quarter-Finals First Leg, January 22)
LOST 2-0 (A) Recreativo de Huelva (Primera Division Matchday 19, January 18)
LOST 2-1 (A) Real Valladolid (Copa del Rey Round of 16 Second Leg, January 14)
Sevilla
WON 2-1 (H) Valencia (Copa del Rey Quarter-Finals Second Leg, January 29)
LOST 2-0 (H) Racing Santander (Primera Division Matchday 20, January 25)
LOST 3-2 (A) Valencia (Copa del Rey Quarter-Finals First Leg, January 21)
WON 1-0 (H) Numancia (Primera Division Matchday 19, January 17)
WON 3-0 (A) Deportivo La Coruna (Copa del Rey Round of 16, January 14)
TEAM NEWS
Sporting Gijon
Rafael Sastre is definitely out, while Gerard remains a doubt.
Probable Starting XI: Lafuente - Canella, Neru, Jorge, Camara - Pedro, Camacho, Matabuena, Kike Mateo - Carmelo, David Barral
Sevilla
Lautaro Acosta and Federico Fazio are both out with long-term injuries, while Abdoulay Konko is doubtful.
Probable Starting XI: Palop - Squillaci, Escude, Mosquera, Navarro - Jesus Navas, Duscher, Romaric, Adriano - Luis Fabiano, Kanoute
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sporting Gijon - Five goals is an impressive haul for a midfielder, and Diego Camacho will need to continue scoring if Sporting are to avoid dropping further down the table. One of their brightest attackers, Camacho is a guaranteed source of entertainment.
Sevilla - After a slow start to the season, Koffi Romaric has settled into life at Sevilla. Charged with the large responsibility of replacing Christian Poulsen and Seydou Keita, the Ivorian is an essential cog in the Sevilla machine, stamping out the opposition's attacks, while arguing his own forwards to bomb up the pitch.
PREDICTION
This match will certainly not be a draw, which, unfortunately for Sporting, means it will be a win for Sevilla. The Andalucians have been in top form of late, and should have enough to get past the home side's disastrous defence.
Sporting Gijon 2-4 Sevilla
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