Betis 0 - Sevilla 0

Betis: Prats; Filipescu, Juanito, Rivas, Luis Fernández; Ito, Benjamín; Joaquín (Ikpeba 74'), Cañas (Mingo 46'), Capi; Dani (Amato 55'). 4-2-3-1.
Sevilla: Notario; Juanmi, Prieto, Pablo Alfaro, David; Njegus, Casquero, Torrado, Olivera (Fredi 93'); Reyes (Víctor Salas 55'), Moisés (Toedtli 81'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Betis:Cañas for Denilson / Sevilla: Juanmi, Olivera for Gallardo, Luis Gil.

Goals: None.

The city derby between Betis and Sevilla ended goalless for the second time this season. Played on a Saturday night, Betis were looking for a victory to take them joint top of the table with Real Madrid and Valencia, who both were to play on Sunday. There was much excitement in Sevilla the day before the game when the international squads for Spain's friendly matches with Holland were announced, with the good form of the two local sides being recognised by the call up of Capi for the first time in his career, joining Joaquín in the full Spanish squad. Young striker Dani also was included in the under-21 side, as was his opposite number Reyes, who has been on such good form this season. With Denilson suspended, Juande Ramos played Capi on the left wing, although he was out of position and did not give his usual performance, at least until the manager changed things around at half time.

Unfortunately the match was preceded by violence between rival groups of supporters, with Sevilla fans ripping up chairs and Betis followers firing flares at their opponents as the match went on. The game itself took some time to get going, with the first real action late in the first half when Benjamín and then Dani tested Notario. Reyes claimed a penalty at the other end when tackled by Benjamín, but the youngster's game ended early when Caparrós took him off to bring on an extra midfielder when Torrado was sent off for a second bookable offence ten minutes in to the second half. Immediately afterwards Rivas brought another good save out of Notario, and a few minutes later Capi made the miss of the night when he hit the bar with the goal at his mercy. Even so Sevilla could have stolen the three points in injury time when Olivera burst free with only Prats to beat, but he rushed his shot and put the ball wide. His side though take another important point to keep them out of the relegation battle, and they stay safely down in twelfth place. Betis meanwhile drop out of the top four to fifth, still well in line for a place in Europe next year.