Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has claimed that it would be "difficult" for a smaller club in La Liga to rise to the top of the table, much like Leicester City have managed in the Premier League.

Leicester were tipped for the drop this season after struggling last term, but the Foxes currently lead the Premier League by five points with nine games left.

Enrique was questioned on the feat during a press conference on Friday, but doubted whether it could happen in Spain due to the strength of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

"I don't know if it could happen in the Spanish league. It is difficult that the big teams here have a bad season, we are talking about three big clubs – Atletico Madrid are one of them since three or four years ago," Enrique told reporters.

"We have three big clubs here with Atletico, Real Madrid and ourselves - it could happen, but it is hard to see. It is unusual to see the big clubs away from the top spots. The circumstances in England are atypical.

"We are talking about Premier League, the league with bigger TV rights income and that makes possible to new teams to appear. This year, in the Premier League rare circumstances are happening, the title race is very open and the stronger clubs are not there to chase it."

Barcelona currently lead La Liga by eight points from second-placed Atletico.