Only three red cards at the weekend, two of which were for Athletic Bilbao players in their match against Espanyol. Lacruz was the first to be given his marching orders, and he was probably unlucky to get two bookings from an overzealous referee. Luis Prieto though had to go after holding back Maxi and giving away a clear penalty. Celta's Cáceres was also sent off for a second bookable offence, trying to stop a quick free kick from being taken. Little good it did him though, as his absence enabled Zaragoza to score from the kick once he had left the field.

Six other players will be missing at the weekend as well for accumulation of yellow cards, including our top villain Lopo, who is due to miss his sixth game of the season after picking up a tenth booking. Our winner from two seasons ago Quique Alvarez (Villarreal) is also out after getting his tenth yellow, as is Mallorca's Fernando Niño for the same reason, and Marchena (Valencia), Casquero (Sevilla) and Ayoze (Racing) all reached the five card threshold. (30.03.04) .