There is sure to be a party atmosphere at the showdown between La Liga`s two superpowers with hosts Madrid having secured their 31st league championship in thrilling circumstances away at Osasuna on Sunday night.

However, while Madrid have little left to play for except getting one over on their arch-rivals, Barca are still desperately hoping to catch second-placed Villarreal and therefore avoid playing in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Frank Rijkaard`s side warmed up for the trip to the Spanish capital with a 6-0 drubbing of Valencia and Messi, who netted the opening goal in that match, is eager for his team to build on that win with another success against the champions.

"This is the best way to travel to the Bernabeu, with our morale high. It's three important points and we'll go to Madrid to win the game," said the Argentinian playmaker, whose side had failed to score in four matches prior to Sunday`s goal fest.

"Not scoring is part of football. We've had nine chances and scored six goals and on other occasions we've had more chances and not scored any," he added.

"We are Barca and we know that we have to go out and win the game no matter what. We know it's difficult but we have to try to win the remaining games."

Barca are four points behind Villarreal, who will be looking to make it four wins on the trot when they go to struggling Recreativo Huelva on Wednesday.

The title race may now be over and two of the three relegation places settled, but there is still plenty to play for in the final three games of the season.

The chase for second spot is one, while the battle for fourth place is set to be even closer with just three points separating Atletico Madrid, Racing Santander and Sevilla.

Atletico, who currently hold the final Champions League position, are away to Espanyol on Thursday - the only midweek match not to take place on Wednesday - while fifth-placed Racing and Sevilla in sixth meet each other in a potentially huge match at El Sardinero.

It is the foot of the table where most of the interest is now though, with just two points separating the six teams who are fighting to avoid joining already-relegated Levante and Real Murcia in playing second division football next season.

Among those clubs in trouble are La Liga aristocracy in the form of Valencia and Real Zaragoza, and they meet each other at the Mestalla in what could prove a decisive encounter.

Zaragoza are currently one point above the drop zone following their injury-time win over Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, while crisis club Valencia are only one point better off after their Nou Camp horror show.

Of the other teams battling against relegation, third-bottom Osasuna go to European hopefuls Real Mallorca, Getafe are at home to Almeria and Real Valladolid travel to Real Betis, where the game will be held at Seville`s unused Olympic Stadium due to Betis` one-match ban from their Manuel Ruiz de Lopera home.

Also playing on Wednesday are Murcia at home to Athletic Bilbao and Levante away at Depor.