Real Madrid vs Sporting Gijon preview - Gijon have Sporting chance - Karanka

Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka has warned his side to be on their guard against Sporting Gijon as they bid to stave off Barcelona's comeback in the Primera Division title race.

Real have seen what at one point was a 10-point lead cut to just four, with a Clasico at the Nou Camp still to come, and after being held by Valencia in their last home game, need to build on Wednesday's 4-1 derby win at Atletico Madrid.

And Karanka, deputising again for Jose Mourinho at Real's pre-match press briefing, says they must be at their best against Sporting, who are second from bottom of the table and seven points adrift of safety.

He told AS: "Sporting beat us here last year and their position in the table is dangerous. They will have to come here to win because a draw is not worth anything, the three points are vital to them.

"We know what is at stake. It is a very important game, we did not win our last game at home and cannot fail again."

Real welcome Marcelo back from injury, although Fabio Coentrao could retain his place on the left side.

Nuri Sahin deputises for the suspended Xabi Alonso, with Sami Khedira being saved for the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, while Gonzalo Higuain is expected to start up front.

Sporting's Pedro Orfila is unlikely to feature due to a hamstring problem, while Gregory, Carmel, Eguren and Mendy all miss out.

Defender Moises could make his first-team debut after being allocated the number 35 shirt.

Sporting coach Javier Clemente followed Mourinho's lead by refusing to speak to the written press but told ABC Radio Punto: "Although we have less options than them, we have to play to take advantage of what we have.

"I will try to tell the players that although Madrid are very good, they are only flesh and blood.

"The players have to work harder because they have got to get the results to keep us up. We have to find something extra."

Clemente has been the target of criticism over his team selections in recent weeks, sparking rumours of a rift with some of his players.

But he defended his choices, saying: "There are some coaches who listen to the public and others who go for coffee with journalists, but I make changes purely to change the structure of the game.

"If the public do not like what I do, I cannot change the taste of the public. I cannot be dictated to by what they want. If I just do that, what the hell am I here for?"