Sporting Gijon are “practically” relegated if they fail to beat Las Palmas, according to Coach Rubi, who has Lacina Traore back at his disposal.
Traore has missed Sporting’s last five games due to a thigh injury, but Rubi is likely to throw the Monaco-owned striker straight back into his XI on Saturday.
“If we beat Las Palmas, many things can happen in the games that are left,” the trainer said at a Press conference.
“However, if we don’t, there’s practically no more history for us [in La Liga].”
Despite having a superior head-to-head with Leganes, the Asturians are six points adrift of safety with only three matches remaining.
However, they face a Las Palmas side that are without the suspended Jese Rodriguez and Kevin-Prince Boateng and have lost five of their last seven.
“Our problem is a mood one, besides a defensive deficiency, which is difficult to correct and exacerbated in times of doubt like now,” explained Quique Setien, who will leave the islanders at the end of the season.
Sporting Gijon (probable): Cuellar; Douglas, Mere, Amorebieta, Isma; Xavi Torres, Vesga, Moi; Cop, Traore, Burgui
Injuries/suspensions: Lillo (I)
Las Palmas (probable): Varas; Simon, Lemos, Bigas, Dani Castellano; Hernan, Mesa, Viera; Halilovic, Mateo, Momo
Injuries/suspensions: Jese, Boateng, Livaja (S), Tana, Vicente (I)
Referee: Jaime Latre
Form guide: Sporting (L D D L L) Las Palmas (L L D L W)
Previous meeting: Las Palmas 1-0 Sporting
Kick-off time: 12:00 BST/13:00 local time
