From the onset of the season I never doubted Barcelona will do better as the season progresses knowing full well how a great team they are not only in laliga but Europe, however I concur with X-ray that 3 points are nothing of a strong gap for an opponent like Madrid, and if they have to stay top the table then they need to keep winning upcoming games as their greatest opponent (Madrid) in second position on the table is very much determined to see themselves back on top of the league table.
Another rhetoric here is, can Barca be able to keep up the lead till the next El classico? I don't know for sure!
The breakthrough made by Barcelona in the transfer market at the start of the season indicates that they really want to give competition to Real Madrid in the La Liga title race. Barcelona has grown into a team that is able to restore confidence after going through a bad period since Messi left. The arrival of several top names in the Barcelona squad has made many changes to his appearance, Xavi has managed to make the Barcelona squad better since he replaced Ronald Koeman as Barcelona coach.
Having a three point lead over Real Madrid has not made Barcelona position safe, anything can still happen because the season is still long. Xavi must be able to maintain Barcelona performance to maintain the advantage of Real Madrid, Ancelotti will not give up before the season ends, he will continue to lead Real Madrid to shift Barcelona from the top of the standings. Only a win will keep Barcelona at the top of the table, Xavi must do so to claim his first title as coach.
Obviously, having only a three-point lead over, Real Madrid is not going to be good enough for Barcelona. But I think we have to give Barcelona enough credit for being able to hold onto the first position on the table.
Actually, we have to give Barcelona credit for being in first place even though they have a lot of problems going on. Real Madrid can obviously overtake Barcelona. There is still a lot of chance for Real Madrid to do that. But I just think Barcelona should be appreciated for how they have performed till now. But Barcelona will have to remember that the main target of Barcelona is to win the La Liga title right now. There will be a lot of people pointing fingers at them if they fail to do that.