Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that he does not believe that there will be a runaway winner of LaLiga like last season when his club won the league by 10 points.

Barcelona had been leading the pack since August this season, although a run of one victory in seven league matches has seen them slip to third, having lost top spot to Atletico Madrid in a 2-1 home defeat last month.

Reigning champions Real Madrid, meanwhile, trail Atletico by a point, having picked up 40 from 18 matches. But they could take top spot provisionally when they travel to second-bottom Valencia on Friday.

"The level of competitiveness in LaLiga lowers a bit the points you need to win the title," Ancelotti told reporters.

"The fact that Atletico are there also generates uncertainty and I think it will take less than 90 points to be champions."

Ancelotti is also expectant of Barcelona making a strong comeback, despite their loss of form.

"You have a slump and then you get competitive like before. Barcelona and Atletico have the same chances of competing with us," he said.

The Italian has led Real Madrid to two league titles since coming back to the club in 2021, but acknowledged that he did not think it would be an easy three points against strugglers Valencia.

"Tomorrow we start a new challenge, with a lot of excitement. It will be a demanding game... we want to start the year well," he said.