Sporting Gijon vs Espanyol preview - Novo eyes more goals

Posted Saturday, December 17, 2011 by PA

Nacho Novo rediscovered the scoring touch last weekend as Sporting won 3-1 at Rayo Vallecano and he is hoping for a similar outcome in front of a boisterous home crowd for their final Primera Division game of 2011.

The former Rangers striker has often played wide since moving to Gijon 18 months ago but put in his best performance of the season when restored to his preferred position through the middle against Rayo.

Novo, however, insists he is happy to play in any position as long as he starts.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's visit of Espanyol, he told AS: "The manager put me there and I played the position well, but I don't want to talk about it too much because the only important thing is I want to play and if possible continue scoring goals.

"It is a very important match because the three points before the break are fundamental to finish the year in as high a position as possible. We have a good side coming here, but in El Molinon we play with 12 thanks to a brilliant support who never fail to support us."

Coach Manuel Preciado will be able to recall Alberto Lora at right-back and Sebastian Eguren returns from suspension but Nacho Cases, Gregory Sangoy and Ricardo Leon remain out injured.

Espanyol also had a morale-boosting 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid last weekend - the first time they had scored four goals in a match since February.

Didac Vila has been a fixture of Mauricio Pochettino's side since returning to the club from AC Milan in the summer and he believes that, after the problems in front of goal this season, last weekend has restored a lot of confidence to the side.

He told a press conference broadcast on the club's website: "It has served to lift the morale of everyone because it had been a long time since we scored four goals. The forward players especially have taken confidence and we hope that it continues."

The Spain Under-21 international is wary, though, of facing a highly-motivated Sporting side.

"It is always a battle when you go there and we need to be attentive from the first minute because any slip could be dangerous," he added.

Javi Marquez remains out with an ankle injury and Juan Forlin is suspended but Vladimir Weiss could come back into the side after serving his one-game suspension against Atletico.