Betis 2 - Valladolid 0

Betis: Prats; Tais, Juanito, Rivas, Mingo; Ito (Merino 85'), Benjamín; Joaquín (Varela 65'), Capi (Calado 72'), Denilson; Amato. 4-2-3-1.
Valladolid: Ricardo; Torres Gómez, Mario, Caminero, Peña, Marcos; Fernando Sales, Jesús (Eusebio 72'), Fernando; Luis García (Cuauhtèmoc Blanco 46'), Tote. 5-3-2.

Team changes: Betis: Mingo, Capi for Luis Fernández, Gudjonsson / Valladolid: No change.

Goals:
1-0. 18. Amato. Headed over keeper into top corner after cross from Denilson.
2-0. 80. Amato. Steered ball into corner of net after Ito mis-hit shot.

Betis moved back up to the top six after defeating Valladolid 2-0, the Andalucian side's first victory in six games. Both goals came from ex Mallorca and Glasgow Rangers striker Amato, who had been given a second opportunity despite missing several chances the week before against Real Madrid including a penalty (in fact he was the only first team squad forward available). The Betis side had been hit by flu, with Luis Fernández and César struck down as well as manager Juande Ramos, and others could be hit midweek after playing the match in pouring rain. Mingo came in at left back, and Capi returned to the side after a short spell out through injury.

Valladolid have the best record in the new year but they hardly troubled Prats in a boring first half, with their only effort a shot from Luis García early on. Amato headed his side in front in the eighteenth minute from a long cross by Denilson, and he came close to adding another on the stroke of half time after the referee had waved play on when Capi was brought down by Mario in the area, keeper Ricardo turning away his follow up shot. The introduction of Cuauhtèmoc improved things for the visitors and he went close a couple of times, but Betis were still on top with Denilson and Joaquín (tipped for a game with Spain next week) creating havoc in the Valladolid defence. Eventually Amato rounded things off steering the ball home after Ito failed to connect cleanly with Denilson's pass, and the fans could finally celebrate their first victory in the new year. Valladolid lose a bit of ground on the leaders, but they stay in tenth place and are still only five points away from the UEFA cup spots.