La Liga: Sporting Gijón v Real Madrid Odds and Betting Preview

GIJON, SPAIN - Real Madrid are strongly-fancied to extend their lead at the top of La Liga this evening when they travel to Asturias to play Sporting Gijón in the early kick-off.

Jose Mourinho’s side are best-priced at 2/7 with Victor Chandler (bet £70 to win just £20 profit) to return to the capital tonight with three precious points in the bag, whilst a frustrating draw can be backed at 5/1 with Coral and Blue Square. A home win for Gijón looks highly unlikely at 12/1 with Betfred.

The Rojiblancos come into the match sitting in 18th spot in the La Liga table, although they are equal on points with both Granada and Real Sociedad. Coach Manuel Preciado has history with Mourinho, having called him a ‘scumbag’, after being accused by the Portuguese maestro of having thrown away a match at Barcelona. Back in April he let his players do the talking, as Gijón became the first team in nine years to defeat Mourinho at home in a domestic league match, winning 1-0 at the Bernabeu thanks to a late goal from Miguel de las Cuevas. Mourinho will be keen to avenge that defeat this evening at El Molinón, but Gijón will be keen to bounce back after a 4-0 reverse at Levante last weekend.

Real Madrid are the new title favourites after an unpredictable November, with Barcelona suffering a surprise defeat at the hands of Getafe last weekend. Los Blancos will be eager to claim another three points here to put the pressure on Barcelona tonight, who face Levante at home. Mourinho’s men then have to travel to Amsterdam next week to face Ajax in the ‘dead rubber’ match, where surely a whole host of players will be rested, before hosting arch-rivals Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season at the Bernabeu. Xabi Alonso is suspended for the Gijón trip, but Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to play, despite having missed training on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

In the correct score betting, the favoured scorelines are all away wins for Real Madrid. 2-0 to Madrid leads the way at 6/1 with high-street bookie William Hill, whilst 3-0 will appeal to some at 7/1 with bet365, especially at the online firm will refund losing correct score bets if the game finishes 0-0. However, if punters look at the scorelines from their previous four games, they will notice that Madrid have conceded in each of the four games: 7-1, 3-2, 6-2 and 4-1. A 4-0 win for Madrid is at 12/1 with bet365, but that might underestimate Gijón, who won their last game at home. A 1-1 draw is at 11/1 with Ladbrokes, and an epic 1-0 home win is at 35/1 with Irish firm Paddy Power, and would be welcomes by Barcelona fans all around the globe.

Given that Ronaldo has been passed fit to play this evening, it is unsurprising that he heads the betting in the first goalscorer market, especially as he takes the set pieces for Real Madrid. The Portuguese playmaker can be backed at 5/2 with Ladbrokes to be the first player to find the net, whilst the in-form Karim Benzema is at 4/1 with the same firm, just behind Gonzalo Higuain, a 3/1 shot with bet365. At bigger odds, Di Maria and Khedira are at 7/1 and 16/1 respectively with bet365, whilst the home fans will be looking towards former Real Madrid player David Barral to provide early inspiration at 14/1 with Paddy Power.

Punters looking to side with the favourites can also try Real Madrid/Real Madrid in the half-time/full-time betting at best odds of 4/6 with bet365 and Stan James, whilst Draw/Real Madrid is next at a generous 4/1 with totesport.

Ronaldo is 2/1 with Sky Bet to score two or more goals in the game, but he may not play the full 90 minutes. Alternatively, over 2.5 goals can be backed at 4/7 with bet365.

The match kicks-off at 6.00pm local time on Saturday 3 December, which is 5pm in the UK. It is live on Sky Sports 4 and precedes Barcelona v Levante.

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