Valencia boss Nuno has claimed that his team have the credentials to top the mini-league behind Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga this season.

Barca and Real are once again expected to battle for the Spanish title, but there are a clutch of teams battling for third and fourth position.

Valencia finished fourth ahead of Sevilla last season and just one point behind third-place Atletico Madrid.

Nuno has admitted that the La Liga title is not in his team's grasp, but is confident of launching a challenge for third.

"In the league, there are two teams who want to make a difference. Barcelona and Real Madrid are the teams who want to win everything," he told Star TV Malaysia.

"After that, I think that Atletico Madrid have a very good squad for the long haul. They have signed some top players, along with Sevilla.

"Below them are Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao. I think we'll fight with all these teams to finish 'top' behind Real Madrid and Barcelona."

Valencia last finished third in the 2011-12 season.