Málaga are another newly promoted side who are doing well. They easily defeated Betis 3-0 in what was billed as a local derby (well, what's 200 Km between friends), despite being without Musampa and Ruano, injured, and Movilla, suspended. Valcarce opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a thunderous shot after a corner, and De Los Santos added the second after the break from Edgar's free kick. Griguol brought on Alfonso for Betis and Peiró brought on Luque for Málaga, and the home team manager seemed to have made the better choice, Luque crossing for Catanha to score the third seconds after coming on. Catanha has now scored in all three matches and Málaga must be thankful that he decided to stay on after being close to leaving. Betis now drop to third to bottom, and are the only club who have not scored a goal this season.

Racing de Santander move up to sixth after beating neighbours Oviedo 1-2 in Asturias. Manager Gustavo Benítez kept the same starting line up for the third match in a row, preferring Salva up front instead of record signing Rushfeldt. His decision paid off, the Cantabrian striker scoring both his sides goals from the penalty spot to take his tally to five this season, including four penalties. The first goal came after a push on Salva himself in the sixth minute, and the second after Munitis was fouled just before half time. Oviedo, who were without Onopko and Nadj, (both injured playing for their national sides mid-week), came back in the second half with a goal from Panamanian striker Dely Valdés after Racing keeper Ceballos had saved from Losada. Their challenge ended however a few minutes later when full back Rabarivory was sent off for a second bookable offence, two of the 15 yellow cards which referee Megía Dávila showed during the match.