Gerard Pique has said that he expects a "difficult" test when Barcelona travel to face Valencia on Saturday evening.

Gary Neville has recently taken charge of the La Liga club and although the former Manchester United and England defender will not be in charge against Barca, Pique believes that his appointment will give Valencia a lift.

"Visiting Mestalla is always difficult and now that they have a new manager it will be an extra motivation for them," Pique is quoted as saying by FourFourTwo.

"We want to continue our winning spirit. We hope to maintain this level that we have been showing over the last month, playing very well, until the end of the season.

"Based on our results and the way we have been playing, we are in one of our best spells of the season."

Gary Neville has confirmed that his brother, Phil, will remain at Valencia as a coach.