Real Madrid and Deportivo de La Coruña both kept their unbeaten records intact with a 1-1 draw in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. With Michel Salgado suspended and Hierro injured, Toshack was forced to bring in the two Iváns, Campo and Helguera, moving Geremi back to right back. 18 year old Casillas kept his place in goal with Ilgner and Bizarri still not fully fit, and Morientes was preferred up front once again instead of Anelka. Deportivo played Makaay and Turu Flores up front. Deportivo had not won at Real Madrid for 44 years, but it looked as things could change after they took the lead shortly after the break and held on to it for most of the match. Djalminha opened the scoring with a speculative shot from outside of the area which Casillas appeared to misjudge, and the ball flew past him in to the net. Toshack brought on Guti, Anelka and Balic (making his debut after an injury), but their saviour was once again Raúl. He chested down Savio's cross in the eightieth minute and took the ball round Jacques Songo'o before shooting in from a wide angle. The goal saved Toshack's unbeaten record at home in his two spells with Real Madrid, and puts Real Madrid and Deportivo level on eight points in fourth place. Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Redondo was sent off in the last minute for a second yellow card.

Valencia thought their luck had turned last Wednesday when they recorded their first win of the season against Rangers in the Champions League. However it was back to normal for Hector Cúper's side after their fourth league defeat in a row, this time by 1-0 to Betis. It took Betis 296 minutes to score their first goal of the season, and it needed a bit of good fortune. Alexis unleashed a strong shot from outside of the area, and with Cañizares appearing to have it covered, Oli popped up to stick his head in the way and deflect the ball past the surprised keeper. Prats played a magnificent game in the Betis goal, and a Valencia without Piojo López, injured midweek against Rangers, Farinós, Carboni etc were incapable of reply. It was a case of the master beating his pupil, with Hector Cúper falling to beat the team managed by his old guru, Carlos Griguol. With no European competitions to distract them Betis should start to rise through the ranks: Valencia however have to find an answer quickly to their problems if Cúper is to remain in charge much longer.