Fabio Capello's men have hit a rich vein of form at just the right time as one of the most gripping and unpredictable championship battles in recent memory comes down to the wire.

It has turned into a very real three-way chase for the country's top football prize with Barcelona, Real and UEFA Cup winners Sevilla separated by a measly two points.

Perennial rivals Real and Barcelona are locked on points at the top with the capital outfit ahead by virtue of their better head-to-head record this season, despite boasting an inferior goal difference.

The championship race took a pivotal turn last weekend with Real's astonishing comeback from 3-1 down at home to Espanyol to snatch a 4-3 win courtesy of a last minute goal from Argentine youngster Gonzalo Higuain.

That, achieved with Beckham suspended, coupled with the previous weekend's 3-2 triumph in the top of the table clash with Sevilla, means Real have the lead and the momentum going into the final stretch.

Beckham's energy and ability have been vital since Capello welcomed the former England captain back to the fold after a brief tantrum on the Italian coach's part when the midfielder signed a pre-contract agreement to join LA Galaxy next season.

Having been chasing the top two throughout almost the entire season, Real now have it all to lose, a fact that has not been lost on Malian midfield enforcer Mahamadou Diarra.

"We've been looking to lead the championship for a long time and now that we are leaders it is in our own hands," he said.

"La Liga is in our reach but the pressure is on!"

Real also have arguably the easiest task of the weekend for the top three as they travel to modest Recreativo Huelva, who are riding high in an unlikely seventh place this season.

Barcelona face a tough trip to Atletico Madrid, who like Recreativo are chasing UEFA Cup football next seaason and although they will be loathe to help their city rivals' title push, their own concerns will surely take precedence.

Barcelona are struggling badly at the moment having consistently given up leads in the title race and Atletico striker Fernando Torres is hoping to capitalise on their troubles.

"If we can exploit Barcelona's low morale we have a very good chance of winning," he said before warning: "We need to stop them playing their game."

Barcelona conceded a last minute goal at home to Real Betis last weekend to give up top spot in the table while three days earlier they had suffered a humiliating and unlikely 4-0 Cup semifinal second leg defeat to tiny Getafe, ruining the 5-2 lead they had built in the first leg and costing them their double ambitions.

Barca's Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho recognised that his side are in the last chance saloon.

"Atletico are a great side that can make things difficult for us and we have to play like it's a cup final," he said.

As long as they don't play like it's a cup semifinal second leg, they have a chance of hanging onto Real's coat-tails.

Sevilla face a trip to struggling Deportivo La Coruna but their penalty shoot-out exertions on Wednesday against Espanyol in the UEFA Cup final will surely have drained them.

Their saving grace is that Deportivo have nothing to play for, safe from relegation and out of European contention barring a near-miracle during their run-in.