Reason For Betting Tips
It would be quite a surprise if either of these sides manages to steer well clear of danger this term so already this has the feel of an important game with both teams viewing it as a chance to pick up 3 points and do some damage to one of their rivals in the division.
Deportivo La Coruna have been very poor in 2016 in truth and the sale of their best player, Lucas Perez, last month has left spirits low on the terraces of the Riazor. Depor have played 27 league matches this calendar year, winning just 3 of them and picking up just 20 points, which is clear relegation form in anyone’s language. Since an opening day win over Eibar, when Lucas Perez was on the scoresheet, they have collected just 2 points from 5 league outings and scored just 1 goal which was little consolation in a 2-1 home defeat against minnows Leganes.
Sporting Gijon’s long-term prognosis isn’t much brighter in truth but they have at least got two more points on the board thanks to winning 2 of their first 3 games. They’ve lost their last 3 although they’ve had a tricky run of fixtures with 5-0 defeats against Atletico Madrid and Barcelona either side of a 2-1 loss at Celta Vigo.
It’s safe to say Depor won’t cause them anywhere near as many problems as any of those sides did so they should be able to stay in the game here. It’s hard to make a case for either side running out winners on current form and with neither side looking that bright up front. Depor are the favourites but they simply don’t win many football matches. They were division’s draw specialists last season with an enormous 18 draws but no side won fewer games than their tally of eight, six of which came before Christmas.
This year they look even less like a side that is going to win with any frequency and therefore backing Double Chance – Draw or Sporting Gijon at 10/11 looks to offer value.
Head To Head
The sides drew 1-1 in a pre-season friendly. The two meetings last year ended in a 1-1 draw in Gijon and a 3-2 Sporting win in A Coruña.
Stats
Depor have failed to win 25 of their 28 league games since last Christmas. Sporting have avoided defeat in 6 of their last 11 away league games.
Team News
Faycal Fajr is suspended following a needless red card last weekend against Atleti. Villa loanee Carles Gil is out injured so Bruno Gama and Marlos Moreno should fill the wide positions.
Alberto Lora is suspended so Lillo should come in at right back. Nacho Cases is suffering from a knock so Xavi Torres should start in midfield. Moi Gomez is fit again and should start on the right wing which is a real bonus for the visitors.
