Athletic de Bilbao recorded their second victory in a row, this time by 1-0 against Valencia, to move away from the danger area and into the top half of the league. Luis Fernández brought back his three Spanish internationals Guerrero, Urzaiz and Etxeberria after leaving them out of the starting line up midweek, Roberto Rios was out injured, and Sivori was left out of the squad. Hector Cúper left Mendieta and Kily González on the bench, bringing in Angulo and Farinós. Milla was back in the squad for the first time this season after a long injury, but Cúper didn't use him. The only goal of the match came from Urzaiz after 20 minutes, the big striker turning quickly in the penalty area after Alkiza's cross was blocked and shooting low past Palop. Palop kept out efforts by Julen Guerrero and Urzaiz, and just after half time Cúper was forced to bring on Mendieta to replace the injured Angloma who had a nasty cut on his thigh which could keep him out for a fortnight. With Mendieta on the park Valencia came back, and the introduction of Kily and Oscar on the hour added to their attack. However their tactic of long balls into the area for Ilie and Claudio López to chase didn't bear fruit, and Bilbao hung on for the three points. Valencia are once again back at the bottom of the table and with a heavy Champions League program ahead for the next three weeks, they don't look like moving up in the near future.

Espanyol met Real Sociedad in the Montjuic stadium with both teams looking for a victory after defeats midweek. Brindisi included Roger and Velamazán in the home side starting line up in place of the injured Sergio and the suspended De Lucas, and brought Hungarian under 21 international Molnar into the squad for the first time (he came on for the latest 20 minutes). Real's manager Krauss had Alberto back in goal after his one match suspension, and included the controversial Kühbauer in the squad for the first time this month. López Rekarte and Aranburu were also left on the bench, Antia and Mutiu taking their places. International defender Aranzábal had still not recovered, but is expected to be fit by next weekend. The match was played in a thunderstorm which at times threatened to bring the match to a halt. The conditions were at their worst ten minutes from time, but referee López Nieto decided to stick it out rather than abandon at that late stage, although the pitch was unplayable, and the lightening around the stadium was starting to get dangerous. Inevitably the match finished with a goal-less draw, although Espanyol had at least three claims for a penalty, the most justifiable of which after a foul by Loren on substitute Serrano in injury time which the linesman ruled was outside of the area. Espanyol are now seventh on thirteen points, and Real Sociedad are in the group of teams on 8 points, one point above the bottom four.