Soccer fans are gearing up for another exciting Spanish Premier League season.

As usual, Barcelona and Real Madrid enter this season as the heavy favorites to win La Liga, and rightfully so. Barcelona and Real Madrid are by far the two most successful Spanish clubs, and they do after all have the two best players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Amazingly, 10 of the last 11 La Liga winners have been either Barcelona or Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid in 2013-14 is the lone exception.

While everyone is focusing so much on the top two powerhouses in Spain, we may just see an underdog win it all this year. Valencia exceeded expectations last season with their great defense and outstanding goalkeeping.

Last year Valencia finished the season with 77 points, their highest amount since the 2003-04 season when they won it all. Valencia has only won La Liga six times in franchise history, but this upcoming season could very well deliver title No. 7

The primary reason Valencia has a chance is because of their goalkeeper, Diego Alves. The Brazilian netminder was outstanding last season for Valencia making crucial saves all season long. Alves played in 37 games last season making 28 more saves than Claudio Bravo. Eight of the 29 goals he allowed were penalty kicks, and he ranked third in clean sheets.

Valencia went on a big run last year after their road loss to Malaga in Week 21. After that defeat, Valencia only lost one of their last 17 games. Their only loss in the second half of the season came against Barcelona in Week 32. Daniel Parejo and Paco Alcacer were Valencia's leading scorers last season, and they're back for another year.

Their elite defense allowed six fewer goals than Real Madrid last season.

Valencia's offense improved so much that they even finished the year with three more goals than the defending Spanish League champions, Atletico Madrid. Speaking of Atletico Madrid, they no longer have one of their best players in Mario Mandžukić, who is now with Juventus in Italy. This could be a really disappointing year for Atletico Madrid.

There's no way Valencia is going to be able to match up against Barcelona and Real Madrid man for man. The payrolls and superstar talent just can't match. Valencia is going to have to at least draw even against Barcelona this year, after going 0-2 against them last season. Valencia did a great job against Real Madrid last year beating them once, and forcing a tie in their second matchup. Real Madrid also lost a great player this offseason. They no longer have superstar goalie Iker Casillas, who chose to sign with FC Porto.

Transfer rumors are constantly following Ronaldo, but don't count on him leaving Real Madrid anytime soon.

Valencia will more than likely surpass Atletico Madrid this upcoming season as the third best team in the league. It will take everything to dethrone Barcelona, who hasn't shown a single weakness on either side of the ball. Containing Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez won't be easy, but Valencia has the defense to compete with them.

More importantly, Valencia has to turn more of their draws into victories, thus one point into three points. Valencia had 11 draws last season while Barcelona and Real Madrid had six draws combined. They actually had one fewer loss than Real Madrid did last season, but again, constant draws prohibited Valencia from surpassing Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Valencia opens their season against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1