While the entire La Liga soccer world is focusing on Barcelona and Real Madrid, Valencia has been on fire over the last two and half months rising up the standings.

Dating back to Week 15, on Dec. 7, Valencia has just one loss since that time period. That sole defeat came against Malaga in Week 21. Valencia has won 11 of their last 15 games and tied in three of those matches. Of course we all want to win every game, but a draw still rewards the team with a point.

After their disappointing loss to Malaga in Week 21, Valencia was in fifth place in the standings and all looked to be lost. Now Valencia is 18-6-4 with 60 points and 10 games remaining in the 2014-15 season. For some, this may seem like an impossibility. For others, Valencia isn't out of this for a number of reasons.

The most obvious reason of course being Real Madrid's struggles. Real Madrid has just three wins in their last seven games, and they've lost their first place lead to Barcelona. Gareth Bale is getting criticized more than other player, Cristiano Ronaldo's scoring is down, and James Rodriguez is still out with a foot injury. Valencia is just four points behind Real Madrid in the standings, and they're closing in rapidly.

With Valencia defeating Elche 4-0 in their last game, they have clearly overtaken Atletico Madrid (last year's champions) as the third best team in the Spanish Premier League. That was the first time that Valencia scored four goals in a game all season long.

Another big reason Valencia is turning heads is because of their goalkeeper Diego Alves. The Brazilian netminder has been outstanding this year in goal for Valencia. Alves is the prime reason Valencia is in third place in the La Liga standings. Although he has allowed two more goals than Claudio Bravo, Alves has made 13 more saves. Alves has recorded 10 clean sheets this season giving Valencia the second lowest goals against average this year.

Right now, Barcelona looks like the clear favorite to win the Spanish League Championship, and rightfully so. Barcelona recently defeated Real Madrid to show their dominance, and lead by four points in the standings. Unfortunately, not all is well. Superstar forward Lionel Messi missed two friendly exhibition soccer games against El Salvador and Ecuador because of a mysterious foot injury. Messi has been listed as "questionable" for Barcelona's next game against Celta Vigo.

Celta Vigo defeated Barcelona back in Week 10 at Barcelona. Barcelona's next game will be played at Vigo. This upcoming week could spell disaster for Barcelona, and a huge triumph for Valencia.

Another factor to consider is match-ups. Valencia will get their chance at revenge. Valencia lost to Barcelona in Week 13, but they will face them in a much anticipated Week 32 game. If Valencia can prove their doubters wrong and win that can, it could vault them into first place. Valencia will also get to face Real Madrid in Week 36.

There's no doubt that Valencia has to improve on offense. Outside of Daniel Parejo, Pablo Piatti and Paco Alcacer, Valencia hasn't had much offensive support. Valencia has scored 26 less goals than Real Madrid and 28 less goals than Barcelona this season. Still, they find themselves in the running for this year's championship.

If Valencia can pull off the unthinkable and overtake both Barcelona and Real Madrid down the stretch, it would be their seventh Spanish League Championship and first since the 2003-04 season.

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