La Liga Week 23 Schedule, Fixtures, Table & Stream: Cristiano Ronaldo & Real Madrid Look to Rebound, Lionel Messi & Barcelona Try to Extend Winning Streak

By Damon Salvadore First Posted: Feb 13, 2015 01:06 PM EST

The 23rd Week of Spanish League soccer is among us, and another exciting week of diving saves, headers, bicycle kicks and upsetting defeats lurks in the distance.

Last week we witnessed the return of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Unfortunately for Real Madrid, it had no effect as they were blown out by Atletico Madrid, 4-0. An embarrassing defeat, but Real Madrid is still in first place in the standings, so it may not be time to fully panic yet.

Real Madrid is 18-0-4 this season with a league-leading 54 points. Despite the scoring drought, Ronaldo still leads the league in goals with 28. Lionel Messi has the second most with 23. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas has now allowed 20 goals in his 20 starts this season, but many are starting to doubt the established netminder. Things will be tough without Colombian superstar James Rodriguez on the field.

Real Madrid will take on Deportivo in a must-win game this weekend. Deportivo has just six wins this season, and they are in 11th place in the standings. Real Madrid annihilated Deportivo in Week 4, 8-2. Most likely Real Madrid will bounce back with another victory, this time at home. Maybe Ronaldo can move on from his huge birthday party and find the net.

As for their rivals, Barcelona has been the hottest team in La Liga lately.

Ever since losing to Real Sociedad in Week 17, Barcelona has been perfect. Barcelona has won their last five consecutive games outscoring their opponents, 21-5 in the process. Messi and Neymar have created the most successful tandem in La Liga with a combined 39 goals scored this season. Messi has a league-leading 12 assists, and he is widely considered the best passer in the game today.

The primary reason Barcelona is just one point behind Real Madrid is because of their defense and goaltending. Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has allowed just 13 goals in his 22 starts this season. It's very likely he will receive the Ricardo Zamora Trophy this year. Barcelona will take on Levante at home this weekend. Levante has just four wins, and manager Luis Enrique knows his team should win big.

We also can't forget about the defending champions. Atletico Madrid has been inconsistent this year, but they are in third place with 50 points and 16 victories. They successfully swept Real Madrid this year, meaning if the two teams are tied at season's end, Atletico Madrid will own the tie-breaker.

Atletico Madrid's offense hasn't been very impressive this year accounting for just 47 goals; that's 23 less than Real Madrid and 15 less than Barcelona. But, Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann have been one of the best duos in the league this season with 23 combined goals.