Las Palmas 0 - Athletic Bilbao 0

Las Palmas: Nacho González; Edu Alonso (Pablo Lago 88'), Alvaro, Schurrer, Paqui, Jarni; Jorge, Samways, Josico; Guayre (Rubén Castro 76'), Eloy (Turdó 65'). 5-3-2.
Bilbao: Lafuente; Felipe, Roberto Rios, Oscar Vales, Lacruz, Lasa; Javi González (Tiko 75'), Urrutia (Orbaiz 25'), Alkiza, Yeste (Del Horno 87'); Urzaiz. 5-4-1.

Team changes: Las Palmas: Nacho González, Jorge, Samways, Eloy for Cicovic, Angel, Ramón, Turdó / Bilbao: Felipe, Roberto Rios, Yeste for Larrainzar, Etxeberria, Julen Guerrero.

Goals: None.

A dull goal-less draw in the Insular stadium did no favour to either team in their fight to reach the top six. After three defeats in a row Las Palmas had slipped down the table and desperately needed a victory to stop their slide. Athletic have one of the worst away records in the league, and wanted to capitalize on their good home form to push for the European places. Both sides made numerous changes, with González, Jorge and Samways returning after one match bans for Las Palmas. Guayre passed a late fitness test for Las Palmas and having scored a fabulous goal in the match in Bilbao early in the season was preferred to Turdó up front alongside Eloy. Txetxu Rojo decided to rest Julen Guerrero after his recent lack of form, and was missing the suspended Larrainzar and Etxeberria.

Halfway through the first half Bilbao lost Urrutia to an injury that will keep him out for a few weeks, Orbaiz taking his place. Even so they had the best chances, with Lacruz and Felipe going close and González saving from his namesake. Guayre was clearly not fully recovered from his game for Spain's under 21's in England, and Sergio Kresic changed both his front men halfway through the second half. But even when Bilbao were reduced to ten men for the last few minutes when Lasa picked up a second yellow card from referee Undiano Mallenco, they did not trouble Lafuente. Julen sat on the bench throughout watching the world go by. He will probably be back next weekend on this showing.