La Liga Weekly Power Rankings: Round 7

If there was any question about why La Liga is so enjoyable to watch, Saturday and Sunday gave us a bit of everything.

We saw an El Clasico match that pitted two of the world's best teams against each other and a derby in Valencia that saw the home crowd play a big role.

The second- and third-best teams in the league gave us one of the most exciting matches of the season.

We also saw how unpredictable and cluttered the league is with teams, that were just outside of the relegation zone last week, making huge jumps in this week's list.

So how did all these results affect the weekly power rankings? Read on to find out.

20. Espanyol

Previous Ranking: 20

Table: 20

Latest Results: Draw, 1-1 versus Valladolid

At least they got a point. After seven rounds of play, getting anything is seen as improvement for Espanyol.

It took a lot of guts to earn a draw against a tough team, despite going down a man at halftime, but the Catalans once again proved to have almost no discipline with their league-leading fourth red card of the 2012-13 season.

19. Osasuna

Previous Ranking: 18

Table: 19

Latest Results: Loss, 0-1, versus Athletic Bilbao

We knew better than to get too excited by Osasuna's 4-0 victory over Levante. Their loss to Bilbao was much more of what we have come to expect this season.

If not for a fantastic performance from Andres in goal, Los Rojillos would have lost by a handful of goals in Basque Country.

18. Deportivo La Coruna

Previous Ranking: 16

Table: 18

Latest Results: Loss, 1-2, versus Rayo Vallecano

After coming back to draw Valencia in matchday two, who would have thought Deportivo would go without a win through September?

The Galicians haven't managed to get more than a single goal in over a month.

With Barcelona and the Galician Derby next up, Depor will fill plenty of headlines in the next two weeks.

17. Real Zaragoza

Previous Ranking: 17

Table: 17

Latest Results: Loss, 0-1, versus Getafe

Another week, another loss without a goal for Zaragoza.

It looks like the bottom four teams this week will battle relegation all season long, but Los Blanquillos' inability to score makes them extremely likely to go down.

16. Rayo Vallecano

Previous Ranking: 19

Table: 10

Latest Results: Win, 2-1, versus Deportivo

Rayo finally ended their three-game skid, but it was against one of the worst teams in the league.

They have a great chance to make it two in a row against Espanyol on Oct. 21, but I think the Catalans could be in for their first win of the season.

15. Getafe

Previous Ranking: 11

Table: 9

Latest Results: Win, 1-0, versus Zaragoza

Getafe may have won their second straight match, but they again had to do it against 10 men and again struggled to out-perform the weakened opposition.

14. Athletic Bilbao

Previous Ranking: 14

Table: 16

Latest Results: Win, 1-0, versus Osasuna

The Basques finally got their first win in over a month, but it came against a team in the relegation zone. And they still almost dropped points in the final few minutes.

To be fair, they would have won by a lot more if not for Andres.

13. Valencia

Previous Ranking: 8

Table: 14

Latest Results: Loss, 0-1, versus Levante

Just as it looked like Los Che were ready to make their move for a place in the Top Six, their offense gave another dud performance to earn a loss.

Of course, losing the Valencia Derby is never much to be ashamed of, but this is not the first time this team has struggled.

12. Levante

Previous Ranking: 12

Table: 11

Latest Results: Win, 1-0, versus Valencia

Levante got over their shameful 4-0 defeat to Osasuna on Sept. 30 by defeating their local rivals in the first derby of the season.

This just further proves my point that they are the most inconsistent team in Spain.

11. Mallorca

Previous Ranking: 6

Table: 6

Latest Results: Loss, 1-2, versus Granada

Losing to Getafe after playing a man down for most of the match was forgivable.

Failing to beat a tough Granada team at home isn't too much to worry about either, but losing two in a row is never a good thing—neither is earning a red card in two straight.

10. Real Sociedad

Previous Ranking: 9

Table: 13

Latest Results: Loss, 0-2, versus Real Betis

The Basques' place in La Liga's standings is a perfect example of just how balanced and competitive the league is.

One week Real Sociedad look like a Top Six team, and the next they look unworthy of breaking the Top 10.

It is further proof that the final table in Spain is completely unpredictable.

9. Valladolid

Previous Ranking: 7

Table: 8

Latest Results: Draw, 1-1, versus Espanyol

Oscar continued his fantastic season with a late goal to get his team back in the game, but it should never have taken so long to score against 10 men in the first place.

8. Sevilla

Previous Ranking: 4

Table: 7

Latest Results: Loss, 0-2, versus Celta Vigo

For the second straight week, Sevilla were at the losing end of a controversial call by the referee that had a huge effect on the outcome of the match.

Also for the second week in a row, the ref cannot be fully blamed for the loss. Against Celta, Los Rojiblancos were completely toothless in attack.

They did not have Gary Medel in midfield, but that is no excuse for having an extremely imbalanced attack that had no threat from the left side.

7. Celta Vigo

Previous Ranking: 15

Table: 12

Latest Results: Win, 2-0, versus Sevilla

Celta have not played a bad match all season, but their latest result is their most impressive yet.

Sevilla fielded a very weak midfield, but credit should still be given to Iago Aspas for another great performance.

Their next three matches come against Real Madrid, Deportivo and Barcelona, so if you have yet to watch Aspas in action, you're about to see the breakout player of the year.

Let's hope he can keep his top form as he enters the spotlight.

6. Granada

Previous Ranking: 15

Table: 15

Latest Results: Win, 1-2, versus Mallorca

Juan Antonio Anquela must be hoping October never ends. This month has been much more enjoyable than the previous two.

Granada have now won two straight matches against higher-ranked opponents. It seems the close draw against Barcelona was more inspirational than most of us thought.

5. Real Betis

Previous Ranking: 10

Table: 4

Latest Results: Win, 2-0, versus Real Sociedad

Now that is much more like it. Maybe Betis can manage a Europa League spot after all.

The Andalusian club was desperate to get back on track after giving up four goals in consecutive games—albeit to two fantastic teams—and this win will help get them back on track.

4. Real Madrid

Previous Ranking: 5

Table: 5

Latest Results: Draw, 2-2, versus Barcelona

Any team that earns even a point at Camp Nou deserves tons of credit, but Real Madrid should feel disappointed after this one.

The champs went up against one of the worst defenses they'll see all season, but some poor finishing and awful defending cost them the full three points in El Clasico.

Not letting the gap get to an almost-unmanageable 11 points was huge, but there are still plenty of concerns in the capital.

3. Malaga

Previous Ranking: 3

Table: 3

Latest Results: Loss, 1-2, versus Atletico Madrid

Wow, what a heart-breaker for Malaga.

After playing Atletico to a draw for 90 minutes, a slightly unlucky bounce cost Los Boquerones the match and gave them their first loss of the season.

Manuel Pellegrini has been the best manager in Spain to this point, and most neutrals hope he can keep his team in the Top Four.

2. Barcelona

Previous Ranking: 1

Table: 1

Latest Results: Draw, 2-2, versus Real Madrid

La Blaugrana may have managed a draw against their rivals with a very weakened back line, but it was as much due to poor finishing from Los Merengues as anything else.

Barça have some serious issues on defense, and given Pique's injury record over the last 12 months, not even he guarantees points going forward.

Right now, that defense makes them the second-best team in La Liga.

The best thing Messi & Co. have going for them is a very winnable upcoming schedule through December.

1. Atletico Madrid

Previous Ranking: 2

Table: 2

Latest Results: Win, 2-1, versus Malaga

El Clasico grabbed all the views and headlines, but the most emotional win of the weekend was at the Vicente Calderon.

With mere seconds remaining in a hard-fought draw between the second- and third-ranked teams in Spain, Radamel Falcao once again came to the rescue—even though he didn't get credit for the goal.

The best striker in football and the second-best coach in Spain this season both play in Madrid, but not for the reigning league champions.

This run is unlikely to last, but right now, Atletico Madrid are the best team in La Liga.

Follow @MichaelCernaBR