Barcelona midfielder Ludovic Giuly believes victory at Valencia this weekend will clinch his club's 17th Primera Liga title.

"Real Madrid aren't playing very well but they are not losing games and that keeps the pressure on us. If we win in Valencia, though, that will be it," Frenchman Giuly told reporters after the 2-0 win over Albacete on Sunday.

Goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi helped Barca restore their six-point lead at the top.

Second-placed Real had closed to within three points on Saturday, two late goals from Ronaldo delivering a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad.

"The title is closer again but there remain four finals still to play and we haven't won anything yet," said Barca's Dutch defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Barca could claim their first league title in six years on Sunday if they beat last year's champions Valencia and Real lose at home to Racing Santander.

With a nine-point lead and three games left, Barca would be able to lose their last three matches because they hold the advantage over Real in head-to-heads this season.

Real, facing their second consecutive campaign without a major trophy, have not given up hope yet that Barca could trip up with three of their last four games away from home against Valencia, Levante and Sociedad.

"We are not going to gift this league title to Barca, they are going to have to win it," Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo told the club's website.

England captain David Beckham, who celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday, told sports daily Marca: "I want the league title because it is important for me and the club.

"I never thought I would be playing for Real when I was 30 but now I am here and I only have one desire, to win the league.

"When I leave I hope to have won the league, the King's Cup, and the Champions League."

Real still have to play third-placed Sevilla and Real Zaragoza away, and host Atletico Madrid in the city derby.