Real, Barca with work to do in Cup

Real Madrid and Barcelona will have to make up for slipshod first leg displays to make it past second division opposition this week and reach the quarter-finals of the King's Cup.

Real managed only a 1-1 draw away to Eibar last week after coach Carlos Queiroz opted to rest most of his regular starting line-up.

David Beckham and Iker Casillas are both doubtful for Tuesday's third round, second leg but Queiroz is likely to call on much of the rest of his first team.

Real have not won the King's Cup since 1993 but the team have set their sights on a European and domestic treble this season and the players insist they will be taking Tuesday's game seriously.

"Against Eibar, we know we have to win at all costs because we want to stay in the hunt for all three competitions this year," centre-back Francisco Pavon said.

Pavon was speaking after a 1-0 defeat away to Real Sociedad saw Real drop to second place in the league behind Valencia.

Barcelona are in far worse shape at the halfway stage in the season, of course. A 3-0 win at home to Real Zaragoza on Sunday took them up to seventh place but they remain 16 points behind new leaders Valencia.

A good Cup run would be a big help for coach Frank Rijkaard, but last week's 1-0 defeat away to second division promotion candidates Levante has left the side with a difficult task on Wednesday.

Rijkaard should have Edgar Davids in his squad by then, with the Dutch midfielder's loan move from Juventus due to go through on Monday, but the coach is likely to stick with the same team that brushed aside Zaragoza in promising fashion at the weekend.

League leaders Valencia could also struggle to make the quarter-finals after letting slip a two-goal lead on their way to a 2-2 draw at home to Osasuna last week.

The tie between Deportivo Coruna and Atletico is wide open after a goalless draw in the capital.