In the 97 years of La Liga the title has never been won in El Clasico.
Real’s victory over Espanyol means they avoid the dilemma of whether they would give Barca a guard of honour as champions before the game.
Barca are 11 points above Real and could break the record for the biggest title-winning margin in history, which stands at 15 points from their 2012-13 triumph.
If they win their final four games they will finish with a record-equalling 100 points – achieved by Real in 2011-12 and Barca in 2012-13.
It would also give them the record for La Liga wins – 33. They have drawn only once.
Real are facing only their second season without a trophy since 2009-10, having also failed to win anything in 2020-21.