<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-14390" href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/R_sporting_de_gijon.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-14390 alignleft" src="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/R_sporting_de_gijon.png" alt="" width="88" height="150" /></a><a rel="attachment wp-att-11583" href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Real-Madrid-Logo.png"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-11583" src="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Real-Madrid-Logo.png" alt="" width="107" height="150" /></a>SPORTING GIJON</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>V</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>REAL MADRID</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Week 11, Liga BBVA, Spain</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>El Molinon, Gijon, Spain</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>November 14th, 2010, 11:30 PM, IST</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <p style="text-align: center;">***</p> After coming through the <a href="http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330023095846/noticia/Cronica/Real_Madrid_5-1_Real_Murcia_2010-11-11.htm" target="_blank">Copa Del Rey game in midweek without any shocks</a>, Real Madrid looks to continue their impressive streak in the league. The El Classico is only a couple of weeks away, so the Galacticos will be looking to maintain their lead over their bitter rivals. <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Not in the best of form</span></strong></span> While Real Madrid enter this game being undefeated in any competition, Sporting have been struggling really hard to get positive results. They have drawn their last three league matches and were defeated in a league game before that. Their last win came surprisingly against Sevilla almost a month back. <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/sporting-gijon-atletico/image/8742163?term=el+molinon" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://view1.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/8742163/sporting-gijon-atletico/sporting-gijon-atletico.jpg?size=380&imageId=8742163" border="0" alt="May 08, 2010 - Gijon, Spain - GIJON, (SPAIN) 08/05/2010.- Atletico de Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores (C) chats with defender Juanito (L) next to Sporting de Gijon coach Manuel Preciado (R) during thier First Division soccer League match played at El Molinon stadium in Gijon, Spain on 8 May 2010." width="380" height="415" /></a><em>Preciado under pressure!</em> <em>And Sporting in trouble!</em></p> As if that was not enough, the <em>Rojiblancos</em> were eliminated from the Copa Del Rey in midweek by Mallorca. Manolo Preciado is already in big trouble and a game against Real Madrid was the last thing he wanted at this time. But, if Sporting manage to dig out a positive result, the pressure might ease off of the players and their coach. Currently, Sporting lie 13th in the La Liga table as they look to resurrect their season. <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">No King sized upsets</span></span></strong> For two years running, Real Madrid were humiliatingly kicked out of the Copa Del Rey round of 32 by teams whose turnovers are less than what Cristiano Ronaldo earns at Real Madrid. But this year, under Mourinho, they successfully went past the tricky hurdle in flying colors by dismantling Real Union 5-1 in midweek. <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/real-madrid-ronaldo-goes/image/9626703?term=real+madrid" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9626703/real-madrid-ronaldo-goes/real-madrid-ronaldo-goes.jpg?size=380&imageId=9626703" border="0" alt="Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) goes for a header beside Real Mallorca's Victor Casadesus during their Spanish first division opening match at the Iberostar stadium in Palma de Mallorca August 29, 2010. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAINSPORT - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)" width="380" height="311" /></a><em>Madrid have come a long way from their first game.</em></p> Mourinho’s men are becoming strong by the day and are looking more and more difficult to beat, which is a good sign, because <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/11/11/2208919/lfp-confirm-monday-night-kick-off-for-barcelona-real-madrid" target="_blank">they head into the Classico in a couple of weeks</a>. Mourinho gave a Spanish look to the team against Real Union, but should be back to using his regular eleven for the game against Sporting. Real can be confident of taking the three points from El Molinon but should avoid complacency. <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TEAM NEWS AND TACTICAL BRIEF</span></span></strong> <strong><em>Sporting Gijon</em></strong>: Sporting plays a 4-3-2-1 formation which will also work as a 4-3-3 in times of needs. Juan Pablo starts in goal with Lora, Arnolin, Botia, and Canella making the back four. Cuevas, Rivera, and Eguren make the 3 in the 4-3-2-1 formation. Castro and Carmelo will have all the freedom to roam around and play behind Sangoy who acts as the lone striker. Sporting play possession football and make some neat moves before scoring a goal. They also have individual players who can score spectacular goals. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etw8dO9eTKA" target="_blank">Nacho Novo scored a brilliant volley</a> last week, so expect some long distance shooting from the front three. <em>Probable Starting XI</em>: Juan Pablo; Lora-Arnolin-Botia-Canella; Cuevas-Eguren-Rivera; Castro-Carmelo; Sangoy <p style="text-align: center;"><a><img class="aligncenter" src="http://this11.com/boards/1289564912123354.jpg" border="0" alt="Football Fans Know Better" /></a></p> <strong><em>Real Madrid</em></strong>: No Galactico is struggling with injuries apart from long term absentees Kaka and Gago. The good news for Mourinho is, Garay is back and training at full speed, so that gives him another option in defence. As always, Iker Casillas will start in goal covered by the back four of Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, and Marcelo. Khedira is back to partner Alonso in midfield after a deserving rest in midweek. <a href="http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330023187415/noticia/Noticia/Real_Madrid_prepare_their_visit_to_Gijon.htm" target="_blank">Ozil, who was also rested in midweek</a>, will be looking to continue his impressive form by helping his teammates Di Maria, Ronaldo and Higuain who will be part of the front four that will look to score plenty of goals. <em>Probable Starting XI</em>: Casillas; Ramos-Pepe-Carvalho-Marcelo; Alonso-Khedira; Di Maria-Ozil-Ronaldo; Higuain <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FORM GUIDE</span></span></strong> <strong><em>Sporting Gijon</em></strong>: D-D-D-L-L <strong><em>Real Madrid</em></strong>: W-W-D-W-D <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">KEY FACTS</span></span></strong> 1. Sporting haven’t won against Real Madrid in the last four games they have played against the Capital Giants. In those games, Sporting have managed to score only twice, while Real Madrid have scored a whopping 14 goals. 2. Real Madrid remains undefeated in all competitions and their best start to a La Liga campaign continues. 3. Last year, this fixture resulted in a drab goalless draw. <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR</span></span></strong> <strong><em>Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)</em></strong> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/sports/los-angeles-galaxy-real/image/9517786?term=di+maria" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://view3.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9517786/los-angeles-galaxy-real/los-angeles-galaxy-real.jpg?size=380&imageId=9517786" border="0" alt="PASADENA, CA - AUGUST 07: Clint Mathis of Los Angeles Galaxy tackles Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid during their pre-season friendly soccer match on August 7, 2010 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Real Madrid will travel back to Spain after the soccer match completing their pre-season USA tour. Mathis, who announced his retirement on Tuesday, played his last professional match. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)" width="380" height="276" /></a><em>Di Maria is getting more and more dangerous!</em></p> <a href="http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330020142357/noticia/Noticia/Mr._October_2010-10-22.htm" target="_blank">Cristiano Ronaldo is in red hot form</a> and is making all the headlines for his unparalleled goal scoring streak, but it is his teammate Di Maria who is looking more and more dangerous with every passing game. Di Maria’s work rate is tremendous and his technical ability is supreme. Against Real Union in the Copa Del Rey game, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoNuVtgr9vY" target="_blank">Di Maria made an outrageous assist to Cristiano Ronaldo</a>. As the team is growing stronger, Di Maria too is becoming dangerous. So, expect a brilliant performance from the Argentine wing wizard. <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION</span></span></strong> <strong><em>Sporting Gijon 0-3 Real Madrid</em></strong> This looks like an easy game for Real Madrid and they should be able to take home three comfortable points if they repeat their midweek performance. Although teams like Sporting are highly motivated when they come up against Real Madrid, they have very little chance from this one. Expect a clinical Real Madrid performance and three comfortable points. <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TheHardTackle’s BLAST FROM THE PAST</span></span></strong> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbL6_VqSW6c