Barcelona closing in on title after real slump

Real Madrid's shock 1-0 defeat at home to Sporting Gijon on Saturday and Barcelona's victory by the same scoreline at Villarreal brought a third consecutive La Liga title firmly within the Catalan club's reach.

With eight games left, Barca has an eight-point advantage over its great rival, whom it thrashed 5-0 at the Nou Camp in November.

Real hosts Barca in two weeks, a few days before they clash in the King's Cup final, and then has tough away games at Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal.