Sporting - Rayo: A battle to avoid the drop

Team News: 

- R. Sporting: Canella and Tonny Sanabria (both injured).

- Rayo Vallecano: Ze Castro, Javi Guerra, Cobeno, Ebert, Tono, Rat y Raul Baena (all injured). 

Match Facts:

- The importance of this game will be evident for all to see when the teams take to the El Molinon pitch on Friday evening. Abelardo's side, who are currently a point worse off than Rayo, although they have a game in hand which is against FC Barcelona next Wednesday, have endured a similar campaign to the visitors.

- Sporting emerged from their last two Liga BBVA matches unbeaten with an impressive 1-0 win away to Valencia CFand a respectable1-1 draw against RC Deportivo. This upcoming challenge will truly put their decent run of form to the test.

- The home side's physical game and counter-attacking play will be pitted against Rayo's passing style, which should make for an attractive spectacle from both a technical and tactical standpoint. 

VIDEO l Los porteros sportinguistas a tope para recibir al @RVMOficial #LlenarElMolinón pic.twitter.com/QzjRcBByy8

— Real Sporting (@RealSporting) February 11, 2016

Rayo Vallecano (15th, 23 pts): 

- The main aim for Paco Jemez's charges is to keep the current good run of form going, especially against a direct rival who happen to be just a point and a place below them in the table. Rayo need a win to move clear of the danger zone and take one step closer to safety.  

- After beating UD Las Palmas 2-0 last time out, Rayo will be looking to string back-to-back wins together and take their unbeaten run to five games, although it will take a strong performance at what is always a tricky ground to visit for that target to be reached.

What's on in Gijon this weekend?

Enjoy the Jornadas gastronómicas de la Matanza de Amieva and el Alto Sella on Saturday and Sunday. Sample typical Asturian dishes with a nine-course tasting menu featuring 'gochu' (pig in Asturian dialect) which will help you cope with the February chill. If you can't make it over the next few days, don't fret because the activity is running every weekend for the rest of the month.

Getting to El Molinon stadium: 

Address: Av. del Molinon, 33203 Gijon (Asturias).  Bus: 1, 4, 10 and 26. 
Stadium location here 

Time: 20:30 CET
Stadium: El Molinon 
Referee: Clos Gomez, Carlos
TV: Watch the game in your country.
Hashtag: #RSGvRVM
Preview in numbers