Sevilla endured another home letdown Saturday, being held 1-1 by well-organized Deportivo Coruna, dpa reported.
The draw leaves Sevilla in fourth place in La Liga, just one point ahead of Mallorca, who were thrashed 3-0 earlier Saturday in Getafe.
Federico Fazio gave Sevilla the lead by heading in a free-kick from fellow Argentine Diego Perotti in the 22nd minute.
Just three minutes later, Adrian Lopez levelled for Deportivo by turning in an excellent centre from Andres Guardado.
Sevilla dominated the second half but lacked a cool finish, despite the return from injury of Luis Fabiano.
"We have dropped too many points at home," Sevilla midfielder Renato said.
"We will have to be better than this on Tuesday," when Sevilla plays a Champions League showdown against CSKA Moscow.
Sevilla now have 44 points from 44 games, three points behind third-place Valencia, who play Sunday at Barcelona.
Barca have 62 points and are level at the top with Real Madrid, who play Sunday at lowly Valladolid.
The battle for fourth place - between Sevilla, Mallorca and Deportivo - promises to be dramatic.
Sevilla are now just one point ahead of Mallorca and two above sixth-placed Deportivo.
Mallorca never looked comfortable in Getafe, where the star of the show was local playmaker Dani Parejo.
Parejo headed Getafe into the lead in the 33rd minute on a centre from Jaime Gavilan. He then set up supersub Miku to make it 2-0 with his left foot 10 minutes from time.
Mallorca defender Jose Carlos Nunes was sent off four minutes from time for handling on the goal-line - and Manu del Moral made it 3-0 from the penalty spot.
"We had a lot of hopes placed in this match," Mallorca midfielder Julio Alvarez said. "But we made important mistakes in both penalty areas and really didn't deserve to win."
Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano said: "Our options of getting into Europe remain intact. ... They played quite well tonight and needed a good result after six matches without a win."
Later Saturday, Sporting Gijon and Athletic Bilbao played out an interesting 0-0 draw.
Goalkeeper Juan Pablo, Gijon's best player this season, saved a 59th-minute penalty from Igor Gabilondo, after Jose Angel had pulled down Bilbao forward Gaizka Toquero.
A win in Gijon would have left Bilbao level with Mallorca, but the draw keeps them in seventh place.