Real Madrid sacked Jupp Heynckes just few days after winning UEFA Champions League in May and thus hiring former Valencia coach Guus Hiddink. Having come fourth in the league and winning the UEFA Champions League last season, Real Madrid was thought as favourite for 1998-99 season. There were also new arrivals such as Edgar Pacheco and the young Robert Jarni and Perica Ognjenović. Despite these introductions, manager Hiddink was sacked in February due to criticizing several players. Real Madrid also suffered embarrassing Copa del Rey semifinal exit after 7-1 aggregate loss against Valencia and thus endured trophyless season since 1995-96 campaign.

Source: LFP
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head goals scored; 5) goal difference; 6) number of goals scored
¹Despite being qualifyied and registered, Athletic Bilbao refused to play Intertoto

²Since Valencia, winners of 1998–99 Copa del Rey, was qualified for the 1999–2000 UEFA Champions League, losing cup finalists Atlético Madrid earned a spot in the first round of the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup.
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.
Head-to-Head: used when head-to-head record is used to rank tied teams.

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