Real Madrid will welcome Sporting Gijon in a crunch encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, Real Madrid will be without the services of their talisman Christiano Ronaldo. He is also expected to sit out of the first leg clash against Tottenham.
Barcelona keep leading the La Liga table, the difference is of 5 points, Madrid can win against Gijon and put Barcelona who play later under pressure.
Real Madrid have an immaculate home record, they have played 14 games on home turf and won all 14 of them, this is some record under Jose Mourinho.
Madrid have scored 24 goals against Gijon in their last nine meetings, Sporting is yet to win against Real in 9 matches. Considering the statistics it should be an easy game for Real Madrid, on paper they look the better side but games are not won on paper.
Gonzalo Higuain has been included in the squad which is great news for all the Real Madrid fans, he has recovered from his back injury.
Real Madrid should win the game if they score first, Gijon has never gone on to win a game in which they have conceded the first goal.
November 14, 2010 was the last time when these two teams met and Madrid just edged that one winning 1-0, Benzema set up Higuain for the only goal of the game.
Team News:
Ronaldo, Benzema, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso, Kaka and Fernando Gago are all out and will play no part in this game. Xabi Alonso is suspended for this game and the other players all are struggling with injuries.
