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After playing Bayern Munich in a weekday Champions League match, in which they empathically won after a thrilling comeback – because of Ronaldo - Real Madrid has found themselves scheduled to play a much easier opponent Saturday night, Sporting Gijon.
Once again, only above their bitter rivals FC Barcelona by three points and a game-in-hand, Real Madrid are, as per usual, in a position where they need to acquire all three points in their weekend La Liga match. Yes, the match should be simple but due to Madrid’s next two contests being against Bayern Munich and Barcelona, fans should expect a rotated lineup Saturday night. With the season approaching the final stretch, and with Madrid in the running for two important trophies, rest has become crucial.
Zinedine Zidane has started rotated squads in the past that have put on terrific performances. A recent example that comes to mind is Madrid’s match against Leganes. Although the team allowed two quick goals, they still were able to shine and dig out a win. At this point in the La Liga season, a win is all Madrid needs. No matter how it looks, three points are three points.
Sporting Gijon shouldn’t cause Los Blancos any problems. The La Liga side is currently fighting to avoid relegation as they sit eighteenth in the table, five points behind seventeenth placed side Leganes. Gijon has only managed to grab one win in their last six matches, putting together a 3-1 victory against nineteenth placed side Grenada.
No matter how someone looks at, Madrid should win this match. The club obviously needs the three points but it should come at a quick and simple cost. Fans should expect a rotated side who will grind out a hard-fought win.
Projected starting XI:
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas, Danilo, Nacho, Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kovacic, James, Vazquez, Asensio, Morata
Sporting Gijon: Cuellar; Mere, Lillo, Xavi Torres, Amorebieta, Elderson; Burgui, Rodriguez, Vesga, Alvarez; Castro
How to watch the Sporting Gijon-Real Madrid
Kick-off time: 16:15 CET, 10:15am EST.
Venue: Estadio El Molinon, Gijon, Spain.
Prediction: Sporting Gijon 1-3 Real Madrid
Available TV: BeIN Sports (USA), BeIN La Liga (Spain).
Available streaming: BeIN Sports Connect (USA), Fubo.TV (EVERY Real Madrid game with a high-quality and legal stream, click here to sign up and benefit from a huge offer for new members and Managing Madrid readers).
Staff Predictions
| Result (1) | Score (2) | Goal Scorers (3) | Total Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result (1) | Score (2) | Goal Scorers (3) | Total Score | |
| Om | RM Win | 2-1 | CR7, Ramos; Higuaín | 42 |
| Kiyan | RM Win | 3-1 | Benz, CR7, Asensio; Pjanic | 45 |
| Timm | RM Win | 2-1 (RM win extra time) | CR7, Ramos; Dybala | 41 |
| Mike | - | - | - | 34 |
| Lucas | RM Loss | 1-2 | CR7; Higuaín, Dybala | 26 |
| Nate | RM Win | 4-2 | -CR7x2, Bale, Morata; Higuain, Dybala | 47 |
| Marc | - | - | - | 3 |
| Lewis | - | - | - | 10 |
| Tommy | RM Loss | 1-2 | Benz; Higuaín, Mandzukic | 19 |
| Naguib | RM Win | 2-0 | CR7, Bale | 29 |
| Vicki | - | - | - | 1 |
| Ondra | RM Win | 2-0 | CR7, Ramos | 18 |
| Jack | RM Win | 2-2 (RM win on pk's 4-3) | CR7, Ramos; Dybala x2 | 6 |
| Matt | RM Win | 1-0 | CR7 | 8 |
| Sam | RM Win | 2-1 | - | 1 |
| José | RM Win | 3-1 | CR7 x2, Morata; Mandzukic | 3 |