Match Report:Sporting Gijon 0 - 4 Real Madrid [La Liga Match] Video

Twelfth-ranked Sporting Gijon host Real Madrid on Sunday for the first time in over a decade. The Whites can clinch their eighth straight win but will have to do so without the likes of Robben, Sneijder, Guti, Van der Vaart, Metzelder and Salgado. It's a date with destiny as two clubs who combine for over 200 years of history meet in the longest-standing stadium in Spain.

Throughout the 37 seasons Real Madrid and Sporting Gigon have coincided in Spain's top flight, the two sides have met 75 times, 41 of which have fallen in favor of the Madridistas. Sunday's hosts have won on 12 occasions and manged to pull off 22 draws against the Madridistas.The record when playing in Gijon is however somewhat more balanced: 15 Madridista wins, 10 defeats and 12 draws. The Whites last visited Gijon and El Molinon Stadium in 1997, a 0-2 victory led by Fernando Morientes and Raul.

Eleven seasons later Raul returns to Gijon as the club's all-time top scorer alongside Alfredo di Stefano, but Real Madrid will be slightly short-handed on Sunday with Robben, Sneijder, Guti, Metzelder and Salgado injured, Van der Vaart serving a one match suspension, and Codina and Drenthe not included on the squad list. Dani Parejo, however, did make the trip and may see his first action of the season.

Juande Ramos' starting eleven should include Casillas in goal; the all-star defense comprised of Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe and Heinze; Gago, Lass and Faubert in the midfield; and Raul, Higuain and Huntelaar up front. However, the Madridista coach may opt for Marcelo and Parejo.

Real Madrid can seal their eighth straight win and cut into Barcelona's lead after the league leaders drew against Betis on Saturday. But Sporting are no pushover and hope to maintain a foothold in the middle section of the table. After being completely dismantled 7-1 earlier this season at the Santiago Bernabeu, expect the hosts to be fired up and El Molinon to roll out the red carpet for two century-old clubs.

Huntelaar won't give up Real Madrid

Huntelaar spoke to Marca, Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has discussed his recent misfortunes with Real Madrid, and talked about his future at the club.
"I have to wait for my opportunity [in the first-team]," he began. "I will get my chance if I remain patient and continue working hard.
"I just scored for the Netherlands and that is morale boosting for a striker - all strikers need to score to keep their spirits high.
Talk was then moved onto the exclusion of Huntelaar from the Champions League squad, and the forward admitted that it was tough to handle.
"To be left out of the Champions League squad is not easy, but I will not surrender," he added.
"Anything can happen [for us this season] and we will do our best. In the past, [Madrid] found themselves behind Barcelona, but managed to win the league title.
"The people here are very open, welcoming, and they really cheer me up. The weather is marvellous - a lot better than the Netherlands. I love this city, and never thought about leaving."

President:We can still win La Liga : "IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING"

Boluda, who replaced Ramon Calderon after Calderon was forced to resign following a vote-rigging scandal, preferred to discuss his club's chances of winning a third consecutive Primera Liga title.

Real Madrid has won its last seven games under the direction of Juan de Ramos, but still lies 12 points behind league leader Barcelona.

Barcelona keeps matching Real Madrid win for win, but Boluda is confident that will change.

"We have still got our morale sky high, we would only be sad if we were 18 points behind them, as they were 18 points behind us a year ago. We still hope to be able to overtake them and to win La Liga."

"I think we can do that. There are a lot of difficult things in life, but nothing is impossible," said the Real Madrid president.