Champions Barca could narrow the gap to three points with a win at Real Mallorca while Real host Real Sociedad two hours later.
Real's march towards a first league title in four years has stalled in the space of four days and nerves seem to be getting the better of them.
Jose Mourinho's side, the league's top scorers with 90 goals from 28 matches, have been finding it hard to finish off games recently and their frustration was evident after Marcos Senna's late equaliser on Wednesday.
"Madrid are scared stiff," Barcelona-based daily Sport said on Thursday, while El Pais pointed a finger at Real's coach with the headline: "Mourinho makes Madrid hysterical."
Mourinho's assistant, Rui Faria, had already been sent off for complaining earlier, his fourth red card of the season.
'ROBBERY'
Referee Jose Luis Paradas Romero, who sent Mourinho off last season, also noted in his match report that Real defender Pepe had accused him of "robbery" and used unsavoury language.
Barca have recovered from their shock 3-2 defeat at Osasuna last month to string together six consecutive wins, with La Liga's leading marksman Lionel Messi (34 goals) in top form.
"We are only going to think about our games, there are 10 left and we have to get the maximum points," Barca's Thiago Alcantara told reporters on Wednesday.
"Hope is the last thing that dies, we have to maintain our hope."
