Barcelona boss Xavi makes surprise Real Madrid claim

Questions were being raised about the future of Xavi earlier on in the season, when Barcelona were knocked out from the group stage of the Champions League for the second season running. Things change very quickly in football though, and a little over three months later, the Spaniard can do nothing wrong as his side won the Spanish Super Cup and are eight points ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga table.

Of course, Real Madrid lost 1-0 away at Mallorca at the weekend, while Barcelona were able to defeat Sevilla by a 3-0 scoreline to open up the commanding eight point gap at the top of the table.

It will be very difficult for Real Madrid to come back from that and defend their title. Stranger things have happened in football though and there are 18 league games still to go.

And it appears that Xavi still considers Real Madrid to be the favourites, despite the fact that Barcelona hold a commanding lead.

Barcelona boss Xavi makes surprise Real Madrid claim in terms of La Liga title race

As reported by GOAL, Xavi told reporters:

"“I see ourselves as candidates to win the league, but the favourite is always the defending champion. It’s Madrid, and we can’t lower our intensity at any moment. They can beat anyone.”"

The Spaniard further went on to add about the matter:

"“There have been crazy comebacks in La Liga before. We have to avoid that at all costs. I still don’t think we’re the favourites for La Liga. We’re only in February, and we have any tough matches upcoming. The euphoria is nice, but we have to be cautious.”"

It is safe to say that with 18 more league games still to go, anything could still happen in the La Liga title race. But with how things are going at the moment, especially after the World Cup break, one has to consider Barcelona as the heavy favourites to go on and win the league from here.

With a eight point lead, it feels like their title race to lose for sure. Of course, that comes with added pressure as well.

On the other hand, for Real Madrid, the message has to be clear. To win as many games as they possibly can from now till the end of the season and then hope for the best.