Both Real and Barcelona have 73 points, but Fabio Capello's side lead the league thanks to their superior head-to-head record this season.

Therefore, the Catalans must win away to Gimnastic Tarragona, and hope that Madrid slip up at home to Mallorca, if they are to get their hands on the trophy.

Despite this seemingly difficult scenario, Puyol is optimistic.

"We have our options and we must cling on to them. We have to win and hope it will be enough. It is true that we depend on other results, but we simply cannot fail in our match," he said.

Barca team-mate Andres Iniesta recently claimed the club needed "a miracle" to win the title, but Puyol does not agree with his colleague.

"I don't think it would be a miracle. In football, anything can happen and we saw last week how things can turn around," he said.

Then, Barcelona were within touching distance of the title as they led 2-1 against local rivals Espanyol with just a minute remaining, with Madrid losing by the same scoreline away to Real Zaragoza.

However, within the space of 18 seconds, Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised for Real and Espanyol captain Raul Tamudo also levelled at the Nou Camp to leave things as they were at the start of the day.

Third-placed Sevilla could only muster a point at Mallorca and missed the chance to draw level with Real and Barcelona in what would have been a mouth-watering three way tie going into the last game.

Now, Barca must hope that Mallorca can again upset the apple cart and pick up a result at the Bernabeu.

Puyol believes the islanders will provide Madrid with a stern test.

"I am only concentrating on winning our game. Then we will see how Mallorca are doing, but I am sure they will make things difficult for Real Madrid because they are a very complicated team (to play against)," he said.

The rugged centre-back admits that whoever goes on to claim the title will be a deserved winner.

"The one who wins tomorrow will be a worthy champion following 38 rounds of tough competition," he said.

Puyol will start in central defence for the Catalans, but veteran French centre-back Lilian Thuram may be dropped in favour of fit-again Mexican Rafael Marquez.

Up front, Ronaldinho returns from suspension and will come in for the injured Eidur Gudjohnsen.

The Iceland striker picked up an injury against Espanyol and may well have played his last game for the club following an unconvincing debut season at the Nou Camp.

Brazilian defenders Sylvinho and Edmilson also miss out through injury.

Meanwhile, Gimnastic Tarragona have already been relegated, but coach Paco Flores believes his side can still produce an upset.

"I am convinced that we can make things difficult for them. The biggest motivation for a coach is the chance to beat a big team and we will do everything we can to win the match," he said.

Cameroonian striker Ariza Makukula is available again after serving a one-match ban and Flores has no major injury worries for the team's last game in the top flight.