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| PROBABLE LINE-UP |
SPORTING GIJON  Juan PabloSuarez, Botia, Hernandez, Canella Castro, Rivera, CasesTrejo, Barral, de las Cuevas | REAL MADRID  Casillas Diarra, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Khedira, Sahin Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo Higuain |
Alberto Lora is the home side's only injury concern going into the game and the right-back is expected to miss out with a hamstring strain. Damian Suarez is likely to deputise for the 24-year-old.
Experienced striker Mate Bilic has returned to fitness yet Sporting will more than likely opt for captain David Barral as a lone forward.
Jose Mourinho is likely to start with Nuri Sahin in central midfield, alongside Sami Khedira as Xabi Alonso serves a suspension. However, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to shake off a knock to start for the Liga leaders.
Real Madrid will be without Ricardo Carvalho, who has now picked up a knee injury in training while Alvaro Arbeloa will be absent once again.
Kaka is expected to be named on the substitute's bench after returning to training while Gonzalo Higuain could be given the nod upfront in place of Karim Benzema.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Sporting were one of only two teams (the other being Zaragoza) to beat Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu last season in the league, a win that ended Jose Mourinho's nine-year unbeaten home record.
- The club from Gijon finished last campaign in a respectable 10th place yet are currently languishing in 18th position.
- Mesut Ozil completed his first 90 minutes for Real Madrid in this season's La Liga in last weekend's 3-2 win over Valencia.
- Real Madrid are the only side in Spain's top flight this season yet to concede a headed goal.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his last 17 penalties in La Liga, a longer run than any other player from one of Europe's top five leagues.
- Madrid have won their previous 71 games in La Liga where they have taken the lead.
Prediction
It is difficult to look beyond a Madrid win on Saturday, yet this may not be the goalfest many expect. The visitors will surely miss Xabi Alonso in the middle and despite Sporting's poor league position, they are a difficult opponent to break down at El Molinon.
Editor's Prediction
Sporting G 1-2 Real Madrid 
