Madonna's fight for the top

Madonna: Just ahead with Music

Madonna is facing a tough battle to overhaul Spiller to claim this week's number one single.

Her new single, Music, is just 160 copies ahead of Groovejet (If This Ain't Love), which features singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor on vocals.

The Spiller track ruined Posh Spice Victoria Beckham's hopes of her first non-Spice Girls number one last weekend, when it beat Out Of Your Mind, her collaboration with Truesteppers and Dane Bowers, to the top spot.

Italian DJ Spiller with Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Madonna, who gave birth to her second child, Rocco, earlier this month, teamed up with French producer Mirwais for Music, which will be her 51st British hit.

The video to the track features an animated version of the singer alongside Ali G, Channel 4's hip-hop spoof played by Sacha Baron Cohen.

Madonna is already the most successful solo female performer in the UK singles charts.

Simon Winter, of the HMV retail chain, said: "It looks like she'll stay ahead until Sunday, but it'll be very close."

Last week's chart battle between Spiller and Beckham's track saw them neck and neck during the week, with Spiller pulling ahead on Saturday to end up 20,000 copies in front.

The Spiller track added a rare element of genuine competition to the UK singles chart - which usually sees one new release each week all but guaranteed to go straight in at number one.

Although a similar battle is taking place this week, retailers are not expecting another big weekend rush this time.