Former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has claimed that Real Madrid are the favourites to win this season's La Liga title.

Valverde won the Spanish championship in each of his two full seasons in charge of Barca before being sacked by the Catalan giants last month.

Madrid have not lifted La Liga since 2017, but Zinedine Zidane's side are currently three points clear of the reigning champions at the top of the table.

When asked who he thought were the favourites to win the league this season, Valverde told Cadena Cope: "Madrid are strong and very focused on the league title."

The Spaniard was relieved of his duties at Camp Nou following the 3-2 loss to Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup, with Quique Setien later confirmed as his replacement.

Barca are in La Liga action at home to third-placed Getafe on Saturday afternoon before Madrid take on struggling Celta Vigo on Sunday night.