La Liga Preview: Almeria vs Sporting de Gijon
Kick Off: Sunday, February 7, 2010. 17:00 CET
Estadio del Mediterraneo, Almeria
Lit Up By Lillo
Only once since the turn of the year have Almeria suffered defeat in league play. This run favourably compares to four defeats in the club’s five games prior to the Christmas break.
There can be little doubt that the appointment of Juan Manuel Lillo has proven to be a watershed decision by the club’s management as he has guided them impressively, changing their style of play to a more passing orientated game. Of course, no such alteration is without its hiccups.
In Almeria’s only defeat under Lillo, this was in evidence. Over-elaborate play at the back on a heavy pitch allowed Sevilla to snatch a 1-0 victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but such an error can be forgiven by the coach because of the consistency otherwise displayed by his men.
One slight worry may be the number of draws that the club have picked up. Villarreal, Tenerife and Valladolid have all had the pleasure of drawing 1-1 with Almeria, who have yet to score two goals in a single game under their new coach – another aspect of their play that he will wish to improve.
Two points separate the southerners from the relegation zone, a cushion Lillo will be anxious to increase as a matter of urgency.
Alarming
After suffering only two defeats in their first 12 games of the season, one of which was a 3-0 opening day loss to Barcelona, Sporting de Gijon have fallen away alarmingly in recent times. Indeed, los Rojiblancos have been defeated on six of the last eight occasions they have taken to the field on Primera Division duty.
Had it not been for their blistering start, which had pundits considering the club’s viability as European contenders, there can be little doubt that Sporting would presently be sitting towards the foot of the table.
Much of the Asturian side’s early success was built on a strong defensive unit, which only conceded more than one goal on two occasions in the first 12 games. The mighty attacking forces of Barcelona and Valencia were the only teams to achieve that feat – hardly an embarrassment for the Gijon side. Concurrently, goals were flowing at a steady, if not tremendous, rate.
While the defence is certainly leaking goals with greater frequency – clean sheets have become an endangered species to los Rojiblancos of late – the real problem that Sporting are facing is a horrible lack of goals. In their last 13 matches, Sporting have found the net on only 12 occasions, a statistic that surely has to be improved if their slump is to be arrested.
FORM GUIDE
Almeria
DREW 1-1 (a) Valladolid (Liga, January 31)
LOST 1-0 (a) Sevilla (Liga, January 23)
DREW 1-1 (h) Tenerife (Liga, January 17)
DREW 1-1 (a) Villarreal (Liga, January 9)
WON 1-0 (h) Xerez (Liga, January 3)
Sporting
LOST 1-0 (h) Barcelona (Liga, January 30)
LOST 1-0 (h) Racing Santander (Liga, January 24)
LOST 3-2 (a) Atletico Madrid (Liga, January 17)
WON 1-0 (h) Getafe (Liga, January 10)
DREW 2-2 (h) Malaga (Liga, January 3)
TEAM NEWS
Almeria
A sprained ankle could keep Santi Acasiete out, but a decision will not be made until later on Friday. He is the only real concern for the southerners prior to the weekend’s game.
Probable Starting XI: Diego Alves; Michel, Chica, Pellerano, Cisma; M’Bami, Bernardello; Corona, Soriano, Piatti; Goitom
Sporting
Midfielder Rivera is a doubt due to illness and Lola Smiljanic is not yet ready to debut for the club.
Lora and Botia both face bans after picking up five yellow cards.
Probable Starting XI: Juan Pablo; Sastre, Gerard, Arnolin, Canella; Portilla, Camacho; Moran, De las Cuevas, Carmelo; Bilic
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Almeria
Industrious midfielder Fernando Soriano is typically cast as a holding midfielder, known for his tenacious ability to latch onto opponents. However, he has been used through the middle as a more offensive player in recent times. With Pablo Piatti available once more, there will not be the same onus on him to be creative, but his offensive production does need to increase if Almeria are to remedy their goal-shy status.
Sporting
Croatian striker Mate Bilic has flitted in and out of the squad this season, generally featuring for some time, even if it is only as a substitute. He only has three goals to his name, which for a front line striker is not an especially impressive total. The 29-year-old has been significantly more productive in previous campaigns and needs to get back to his best if los Rojiblancos are to push themselves back into the top half of the table once again.
PREDICTION
Though Almeria are considerably further down the table, they will start this encounter as favourites to claim three points. Sporting have largely been poor on the road, while the form of the hosts has been encouraging in recent times. Arguably the greatest danger to the home side is their lack of goals, which could allow their opponents to sneak a draw.
Almeria 1-0 Sporting