With a 10-point lead over second-placed Villarreal plus a better head-to-head record against the Yellow Submarine, Madrid know that anything other than a win for Manuel Pellegrini's men at home to Getafe earlier on Sunday will clinch a 31st championship for the pacesetters ahead of their match later on.

The romantics among the Madrid supporters would probably rather the title race lasted one more match, with struggling arch rivals Barcelona visiting the Bernabeu next week, but Whites striker Javier Saviola wants the league sewn up as soon as possible.

"We are all incredibly anxious to win the title. We want to take it once and for all. We will have to fight hard with Osasuna if we want to win the title against them because much is at stake for them. It will be a difficult game," said Saviola.

"I think fans also want to win as soon as possible, but everybody has an own opinion. Some would rather win on Wednesday (against Barca), but I personally prefer to win on Sunday."

Villarreal will also be eager to win this weekend though, as they look to keep third-placed Barcelona at bay in the race for second spot.

Pellegrini's side are currently four points in front of Barca heading into the final four games, and they have a chance of finishing in the top two for the first time.

"It is very important to have the chance of getting into the Champions League and it could make for a successful season. But now we want to be runners-up to be in the club's history books," said Villarreal striker Nihat Kahveci.

Barca's last chance of silverware this season ended in midweek when they lost to Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Champions League, and this summer could see a radical overhaul of coaching and playing staff, according to the Spanish media.

The Catalan giants this weekend host another club for whom this season has largely been a huge letdown as Valencia visit the Nou Camp.

A disappointed Samuel Eto'o, the Barcelona striker, said: "In the four years I have been here we have won five tiles. We would like more, but this season we cannot fight for anything anymore.

"What we want is to finish the season in the best possible way and start to prepare for next season."

Valencia's win over Osasuna last weekend gave them some breathing space in the relegation fight although they are still only four points above third-bottom Real Zaragoza, who host in-form Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Second-bottom Real Murcia could join already-relegated Levante - who host Espanyol on Sunday - in going down when they travel to Racing Santander, with Javier Clemente's side 10 points adrift of 17th spot with just 12 to play for.

Elsewhere this weekend, Atletico Madrid host Recreativo Huelva, Real Betis make the short trip to Almeria, Sevilla are at home to Real Valladolid and Real Mallorca visit Athletic Bilbao.