Barca braced for jittery title showdown

The champions are at home to Real Valladolid and have a one-point lead and the head-to-head advantage over chasing Real Madrid.

At the same time, their arch-rivals visit Malaga, where a victory and a Barca slip up is the only way Real can avoid finishing a second consecutive season without a trophy.

Last weekend's nervy 3-2 win away to Sevilla saw Barca's players celebrating on the pitch having overcome what had been considered the toughest obstacle left for them, but captain Carles Puyol sounded a note of caution.

"It's a difficult game against a side that is fighting to stay in the league. It won't be a stroll in the park," the Spanish international told reporters. "We'll have to control the anxiety."

"Miracles don't exist in football, but surprises do," Clemente told daily Sport.

"I have a year left on my contract and whether we win or lose (the title) should not condition Madrid's future," the Chilean told reporters.

"You can't say this has been a lesser project when you consider how many points we have achieved."

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