El Molinon, Gijon
Real Sociedad have pulled out off some very interesting transfers through 2011 and have held on to key players, a combination that could see them as dark-horses for European qualification this season.
If Sporting want to nullify the attacking threat of their visitors then the likes of Alberto Lora and Roberto Canella will have to prevent Xabi Prieto and Antoine Griezmann from getting too much time on the ball, whilst Alberto Botia will relish his battle with Joseba Llorente.
However, if Sporting can continue their home form from the end of last season then they should not be taken lightly as they only dropped six points in their last 10 home matches last season.
Sporting (4-2-3-1): Juan Pablo; Lora, Botia, Gregory, Canella; Ricardo, Eguren; Carmelo, Trejo, De las Cuevas; Sangoy
Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Bravo; Carlos Martinez, Inigo Martinez, Demidov, De la Bella; Mariga, Arunburu; Xabi Prieto, Sarpong, Griezmann; Llorente
League form: Sporting last five home W-W-W-D-W
Sociedad last five away L-L-L-L-L
Did you know…Sporting have not beaten Real Sociedad in the League since 2008 when both sides were in the Segunda.
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