Barcelona v Real Madrid: Real Madrid's faint hopes of depriving Barcelona of a second consecutive league title will be extinguished if they fail to beat their arch-rivals in tonight's match at the Nou Camp.

Real trail Barca by 11 points with just eight games to go and it appears to be only a matter of time before the Catalans claim their 18th title.

"We have to be realistic," says Real keeper Iker Casillas. "Our aim is to win at the Nou Camp so that we can try and pull clear of the other teams that are fighting for second place.

"We have to win at all costs. If they win they will be taking a giant step towards the title."

For Barca this is not the most crucial game in the next week - that is the return leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Benfica on Wednesday.

Frank Rijkaard's side dominated the first leg in Lisbon but, despite a hatful of chances, they had to settle for a 0-0 draw. "The Benfica match is more important for us," Portugal midfielder Deco told Marca on Thursday. "We don't have to beat Real to win the league title, but we have to beat Benfica if we want to win the Champions League.

"There is no doubt, however, that we still want to win the match for our pride and for the fans and we know that if we beat Real we will wrap up the title in two or three weeks."

Barca, held to a goalless draw by basement side Malaga in their last league match, head into tonight's match with an important psychological advantage given the humiliating 3-0 defeat they inflicted on Real at the Bernabeu this season.

Midfielder David Beckham, who has recovered from an ankle injury and will be fit to play, admits Real are still smarting from that defeat. "Our pride was hurt when they came to the Bernabeu and beat us the way they did," he says. "So for us it's about pride, getting three points and playing well. I think it is going to be impossible to catch them but weirder things have happened in football."

Real's spirits were raised by a 4-0 win at home to Deportivo Coruna last weekend. If coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro keeps faith with the team that hammered the Galicians, club captain Raul will start on the bench for only the second time in 30 games against the Catalans.

Barca will be without injured defenders Rafael Marquez and Edmilson, and dynamic Argentinian forward Lionel Messi, although skipper Carles Puyol returns after a one-match ban.

In the weekend's other matches, third-placed Osasuna, who are just two points behind Real, host Getafe tomorrow in their bid for a place in the Champions League. Valencia, who are a further two points back in fourth spot, entertain relegation-threatened Cadiz.

Spanish referees called off their threatened weekend strike action yesterday after receiving assurances they would be paid their outstanding salaries.

"The decision to call off the strike was a sensible thing to do because the referees' claims have been met," Spain's sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky said.