1. Oviedo is the capital of the region of Asturias on the north coast of Spain. It is approximately 20 km inland from the slightly larger port city of Gijon.
2. The rivalry between Oviedo and Sporting is one of the fiercest in Spain. Oviedo fans are known as ‘Carbayones’ after an ancient Oak tree which used to grow in the city centre. Sporting fans are renowned for travelling in large numbers to away games when they have become known as ‘La Mareona’ (tidal wave).
3. Famous former players of Real Oviedo include English striker Stan Collymore and Spain forward Michu, while Manchester United’s Juan Mata and Villarreal’s Santi Cazorla came up through the club’s youth ranks.
A couple of Sporting’s best known former players are David Villa and current Spain coach Luis Enrique.
English striker Nick Blackman is currently on loan at Sporting from Derby County, whereas Mexican international defender Oswaldo Alanis is at Real Oviedo.
4. Oviedo are coached by Juan Antonio Anquela who is known to many for guiding Alcorcon to a famous 4-1 victory over Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey in 2009. Sporting are coached by Ruben Baraja, a former Spain international who won two LaLiga titles as player with Valencia CF.
5. Real Oviedo's Carlos Tartiere stadium, which hosts the game on Saturday, was renovated and re-opened in 2000 and has a capacity of 30,50
Source: laligaes.es