Karim Benzema (No.9) of Real Madrid competes with Mario Gaspar of Villarreal during their 1-1 Spanish La Liga draw on Sunday in Madrid. Photo: CFP

Real Madrid's draw at home to Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday not only cut their lead over second-placed Barcelona to two points but also means the "­Clasico" in three weeks time is likely to have ­added piquancy.

Real and Barca each have two more domestic league games before the clash at the Nou Camp, the European ­champions playing at Athletic Bilbao and at home to Levante and the Catalans hosting Rayo Vallecano and travelling to ­Eibar.

If the gap stays the same, as is likely, a win for Real in the lair of their arch army would put them in an extremely strong position with 10 games left, while ­success for Barca would give them an edge but a less commanding one.

Luis Enrique's side lost 3-1 at the Bernabeu in October, so unless Barca manage to match or better that result Real will have the head-to-head advantage that is used to separate teams who finish level on points at the end of the campaign.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti complained of a lack of speed and shooting accuracy after Sunday's 1-1 stalemate against a Villarreal side resting many of their regulars ahead of Wednesday's King's Cup semifinal, second leg at home to Barca.

Real had a host of chances in the ­second half and La Liga top scorer ­Cristiano Ronaldo, who put Real ahead from the penalty spot just after halftime, was particularly wasteful, firing off 13 ­efforts on goal.

To be sure, Ancelotti is unlikely to have lost too much sleep as Real are still well placed to win their first La Liga title since 2011-12 under Jose Mourinho.

They also have one foot in the last eight of the Champions League ­after ­winning their last-16, first leg 2-0 at Schalke 04 last month and host the ­Bundesliga side for the return on March 10.

"The team is improving," Ancelotti told a news conference after the ­Villarreal game.

"We've dropped two points but La Liga will be decided in the final match.

"We have to focus on the two-point lead we've got, which isn't much, but is a lead we must make the most of. Now we have to carry on and in the next game, which will be difficult, try to produce a good reaction."