I agree with Ahli38 that Real Madrid has chances to catch up with Barça, and disagree with swogerino because there is no need of 3 consecutive loses at all (which is highly unlikely): every draw for Barcelona, if Madrid wins, cuts the difference in 2 points. In 16 matchdays (the ones remaining) chances are that they manage to do it. In fact, a few months ago the situation was the opposite, and look how easily Barcelona has managed to overtake Madrid.
If there weren't a personal meeting ahead where Real Madrid has an iron opportunity to score three points at the same time and deprive Barcelona of three points, thus reducing the gap to 5 points, I would consider that the championship is already over. Teams that are at the top of the standings rarely lose points, so 8 points difference is a huge distance.
There are no chances that Real Madrid will catch up with Barcelona. If you are focusing on the side that Barcelona will have to lose matches, do you also consider that Madrid can also lose a match or draw and thereby the gap between them and Madrid will increase the more. It is just a two ways thing, what I don't understand is how Barcelona gave Real such a gap to 8 points.