La Liga Preview: Athletic Bilbao - Sporting Gijon

Athletic Bilbao will be hoping to break clear of the relegation fight when they host Sporting Gijon at the San Mames on Sunday night.

Tarnished Pride

Athletic Bilbao are a well established institution of Spanish football, if not the global game as well. Part of the attraction is the fact that, despite their unique transfer policy, they have never been relegated from the top flight, joining the illustrious company of Real Madrid and Barcelona as the only teams to have achieved this feat.

However, in recent weeks, this record has been seen in a new light, with startling accusations of match-fixing being thrown at Athletic. The investigation is under way and will probably take years to complete, but the off-field distraction is not one the team can afford in these perilous times.

On the pitch, it has been a typical Athletic season, with the club doing just enough to avoid the relegation places. They are walking a tightrope, however, given that Espanyol, in 18th place, have the same amount of points. It is not easy playing every match knowing a loss could mean a shift to the dreaded drop zone, so Bilbao will be anxious to create some breathing space soon.

Neutral's Favourite

While every La Liga team has its hordes of devoted fans, there are none who can count as many neutrals among their fervent followers as Sporting Gijon. Their matches have consistently provided tremendous entertainment, leading most observers to adopt them as their second team. It only takes a quick glance at the statistics to reveal why Sporting are so popular.

The most incredible stat is that after 14 games, Sporting are yet to be involved in a single draw. They have scored 23 goals, more than any team outside the top six, and even more than Sevilla in fourth. Their problems have been at the other end of the pitch, where they have conceded 32, by some way the most in the league.

Having lost their first game to Getafe, Sporting were then faced with the daunting prospect of the infamous Sevilla - Barcelona - Real Madrid - Villareal run of fixtures. They lost all four games, shipping a whopping 18 goals in the process, and looked unlikely to pick up a point all season, let alone a win. Since then, having been paired with teams closer to their level, Sporting have excelled, and now occupy a comfortable mid table position.

FORM GUIDE

Athletic Bilbao

DREW 1-1 (A) Racing Santander (La Liga Matchday 14, December 07)

WON 2-0 (H) Numancia (La Liga Matchday 13, November 30)

LOST 3-1 (A) Deportivo La Coruna (La Liga Matchday 12, November 23)

WON 2-0 (H) Osasuna (La Liga Matchday 11, November 16)

LOST 2-1 (A) Recreativo de Huelva (Copa del Rey Round of 32 Second Leg, November 12)

Sporting Gijon

LOST 2-5 (H) Atletico Madrid (La Liga Matchday 14, December 06)

WON 1-0 (A) Espanyol (La Liga Matchday 13, November 30)

LOST 2-1 (H) Real Betis (La Liga Matchday 12, November 23)

WON 3-2 (A) Valencia (La Liga Matchday 11, November 15)

WON 2-0 (H) Numancia (Copa del Rey Round of 32 Second Leg, November 12)

TEAM NEWS

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic are without any major injury concerns, apart from Ustaritz who is still out.

Probable Starting XI - Iraizoz - Iraola, Amorebieta, Aitor Ocio, Koikili - David Lopez, Javi Martinez, Orbaiz, Yeste - Llorente, Ion Velez

Sporting Gijon

Diego Castro, Colin, Neru and Andreu are all out, but Michel has returned to training and could play some part.

Probable Starting XI - Cuellar - Canella, Gerard, Sastre, Ivan Hernandez - Pedro, Camacho, Matabuena, Carmelo, Diego Castro - Bilic

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Athletic Bilbao - Javi Martinez has now made the transition from hot prospect to key player, and the midfielder is the man around whom Athletic's game is based. He has been in impressive form this season, and has all the qualities to be the man who finally emulates club legend Julen Guerrero in midfield.

Sporting Gijon - The tasking of leading the line for the least experienced side in the league is a thankless one, but Mate Bilic has risen to the challenge, banging in six goals so far. His pace and strength have proved a real threat to opposition defences, and Athletic could be in for a long night if he finds his form.

PREDICTION

Sporting have won twice as many points on their travels as at home, proving that they are not scared of visiting intimidating atmospheres such as the San Mames. Athletic have been far from spectacular at home, losing four games at what used to be a formidable fortress. All signs, therefore, point to another impressive win for Sporting Gijon. What is certain is that there will be plenty of goals, and the points are highly unlikely to be shared.

Athletic Bilbao 2 - 4 Sporting Gijon

Arjun Miglani





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