Barcelona head coach Quique Setien does not believe Real Madrid should be considered favourites for La Liga glory this season.
Madrid hold a three-point advantage at the summit over Barca, who have struggled for their best form since Setien replaced Ernesto Valverde last month.
Valverde and Barca won the previous two titles, with the Blaugrana also collecting four of the past five either side of Zinedine Zidane's sole domestic success in 2016-17.
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Setien feels the Clasico showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 1 could yet prove to be pivotal.