Sevilla vs Sporting Gijon preview - Preciado demands Sporting focus

Posted Tuesday, March 01, 2011 by PA

Relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon will travel to Sevilla on Tuesday night without fear.

Although they sit only one point outside the drop zone, and face a team looking to boost their European credentials, coach Manuel Preciado believes his side have every chance of winning.

"We must avoid mistakes and giving away unnecessary possession, we must be focused," he said.

"It will not be easy, but they can be overcome if we play with a lot of sense.

"We will have to be focused at all times."

Preciado has reason for confidence in his team, having watched them come through their last three games unbeaten.

All three have been drawns, not enough to pull them clear of trouble, but that includes highly creditable ties with Barcelona and Valencia.

They face a Sevilla side who were frustrated in a 2-2 draw away to Atletico Madrid on Saturday, twice taking the lead before Jose Antonio Reyes' late equaliser left them to a settle for a point.

That result left them three points adrift of the top six and they need a win to get their push for Europe back on track.

Their efforts will be boosted by news that Frederic Kanoute returned to training on Monday and could make the squad for the game.

However, Andres Palop remains a doubt and no decision will be made until closer to kick off, while there is also a question mark over Ousmane Dabo, who has an ankle problem.

Martin Caceres is still sidelined.