Real face Argentine test in King's Cup

Second division Leganes will bring a distinctly Argentine flavour to the second round of Spain's King's Cup this week when they entertain illustrious neighbours Real Madrid.

Based in a working class suburb to the south of the Spanish capital, Leganes have been transformed since millionaire Argentine music tycoon Daniel Grinbank bought a majority shareholding in the club at the start of the season.

Former Argentina youth team boss Jose Pekerman and Carlos Aimar were drafted in by the rock and roll promoter to take control of the side and they recruited a string of fellow countrymen to strengthen the playing staff.

No less than 15 of the squad are Argentine-born, though thanks to the fact that all bar one have European Union passports they have not fallen foul of the Spanish Football Federation's limit of four foreign players.

On several occasions this season Leganes have fielded an all-Argentine starting line-up.

Real Madrid's sporting director Jorge Valdano -- another Argentine who played in Europe -- is under no illusions that their modest neighbours could end up making life difficult in a one-off match at the Butarque municipal stadium on Thursday.

"Leganes are a highly competitive team and have an excellent squad and we are facing them at a difficult time in the calendar," he said.

It has been a fruitful month for Real, who top the domestic standings after wins over Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Deportivo Coruna and qualified for the Champions League second round as group winners.

But with a host of first-choice players likely to be rested, Leganes have a genuine chance of causing an upset.

Holders Real Mallorca, who swept past Real on their way to winning last season's competition, also face a potentially tricky tie at promotion hopefuls Levante on Wednesday.

Primera Liga strugglers Real Sociedad could do without the distraction of a match against fellow Basques Alaves and Raynald Denoueix's men need to be on their guard to avoid another disappointment.

Of the giant-killers, Gimnastic Torrelavega, who claimed the scalp of Athletic Bilbao in the first round, will be aiming to make the most of home advantage against Deportivo Coruna.

Fellow third division side Cultural Leonesa, the only other team to knock out top-flight opponents when they defeated Albacete, face a tough task when they entertain revitalised Atletico Madrid.

Of the two all-Primera Liga ties, the match between Celta Vigo and Espanyol looks finely balanced, but Valencia, just two points behind Real at the top of the table, should overcome struggling Murcia.