Ronaldo or Owen?

Real Madrid are out to recover quickly from their shock Spanish Cup exit during the week by bagging three points against Real Mallorca tomorrow.

The Spanish giants were ousted from the Cup by second division Valladolid with one Spanish radio commentator saying, "It must be the worst first half from Real in the last 50 years." Not even the introduction of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and club captain Raul Gonzalez at half time could clinch victory and avoid Real going out on the away goals rule after drawing 1-1.

A similar result against relegation-threatened Mallorca would not end their hopes of lifting a record 30th league title but would severely dent them.

League leaders and arch rivals Barcelona are seven ahead of second-placed Real with 45 points from the first half of the season.

"Going out of the Cup will not have any affect on the league game coming up as they are two different competitions. We are disappointed but the season continues. The players are down but conscious that we are working to improve," said Real's new coach Wanderley Luxemburgo unconvincingly on Thursday.

Luxemburgo's big dilemma is whether he should keep faith with his compatriot Ronaldo or give England striker Michael Owen his first league start in six weeks. Ronaldo has scored 11 league goals this season but the former World Player of the Year has rarely fired on all cylinders. By contrast, Owen is the quickest draw in the Spanish first division with a goal every 110 minutes despite spending more time on the bench than the field.

To add to Real's possible discomfort, Mallorca know how to win in the Santiago Bernabeu. The Balearic island visitors won 3-2 last season and 5-1 the year before, although most of the damage in recent was inflicted by Samuel Eto'o, who has now moved on to Barcelona.

Mallorca's new hero is Japanese international Yoshito Okubo who scored on his debut for his new club two weeks ago, and made another goal, but missed last week's 2-0 defeat at Real Betis with a bruised ankle.

On paper, Barcelona should have little trouble beating Racing Santander in the Nou Camp today. Struggling Racing lie just one place above the relegation zone, have lost on their last seven visits to the Catalan club, and have defender Pedro Lopez suspended.

Third-placed Valencia, who have 36 points from their 19 games, will be heading 60 miles down the coast to Villarreal, who are always a tough proposition at home tomorrow.