MADRID -- The Spanish league is off to a tight race atop the standings, with five teams separated by only three points. Yet, most of the talk entering the weekend is about whether Cristiano Ronaldo will end his scoring slump.Real Madrid leads the league ahead of its match at Alaves on Saturday, but not thanks to Ronaldos recent performances. The forward is enduring his worst start to a season since joining Madrid in 2009, having scored only four goals in nine matches.When youre used to scoring almost 70 goals a season, its almost like an addiction for goals, Madrid reserve forward Alvaro Morata said. For us, he is the most important player in the team and I hope that he scores lots of goals, but he is not a machine. He is a human being. Even if he comes from another planet and is different, he also has the right to miss.Ronaldo also scored five goals in two games with Portugal, against Andorra and the Faeroe Islands in World Cup qualifying, but thats no reprieve to the demanding Madrid fans.He was jeered by the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after another disappointing performance in a 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.The fans demand a lot of players, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. The Bernabeu is special and we know it. Cristiano knows it and he is used to it. The important thing is to continue with our work.Ronaldo has scored only two goals in the Spanish league -- in a 5-2 win against Osasuna in September and a 6-1 rout at Real Betis two weeks ago. He also scored two goals in the Champions League, one in a 2-2 draw at Borussia Dortmund and one in a 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon, when his free-kick goal started a late rally.Of course he wants to score more, Madrid defender Marcelo said. He is a player who helps a lot and not only with goals, also with his work on the pitch.The game against Osasuna was the first of the season for Ronaldo. He hadnt played since injuring his left knee in the final of the European Championship, which Portugal won.Ronaldo seems fit and has had plenty of scoring chances, but has not been able to capitalize on them -- including on some he usually converts. Zidane says he is not worried and that its just a matter of time before he starts finding the net again.The 31-year-old was among the Madrid players rested in the teams 7-1 win over Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. He is set to return to the lineup on Saturday, when Zidanes team tries to defend its Spanish league lead against promoted Alaves.Sevilla, one point behind Madrid, plays at Sporting Gijon on Saturday, while third-place Barcelona hosts last-place Granada in its 1,500th game at the Camp Nou. Contrary to Ronaldo, Barcelonas Lionel Messi is enjoying one of the best starts of his career with 14 goals in 11 matches. He has more goals than Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema combined.Fourth-place Villarreal plays at Eibar on Sunday, and fifth-place Atletico Madrid, which led the league entering the last round, hosts Malaga on Saturday.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoni. Cody Zeller Hornets Jersey .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Nicolas Batum Hornets Jersey . - Blake Griffin had 30 points and 12 rebounds, J. https://www.hornetslockerroom.com/Glen-Rice-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. 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Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup.Sky Sports football pundit Paul Merson has given us his thoughts on the race for the PFA Fans Player of the Month award for February. The Premier League shortlist has been narrowed down to three candidates - Tottenhams Christian Eriksen and West Ham duo Dimitri Payet and Mark Noble.There is still time for you to cast your vote (voting closes 10am on Friday March 18, with the winner announced at 12pm on the same day), and you could win the chance to meet and present the award to the winning player. As well as the Barclays Premier League award, you can also vote for the PFA Fans Player of the Month in the Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League Two. Vote now! Vote now for your February Player of the Month And if you are still undecided on where your vote should go, Merse has given his thoughts on each candidate in the running for the top-flight award...Dimitri Payet - West Ham Dimitri Payet has been in fine form for West Ham this season MERSE SAYS: Dimitri Payet is different class. Hes one of the top footballers in the Premier League. The Frenchman has tremendous ability and hes such a clever player on and off the ball. I cant talk highly enough of him.Mark Noble - West Ham Merson thinks Mark Noble is unlucky not to be included in Roy Hodgsons latest England squad MERSE SAYS: Mark Noble has got to be one of the unluckiest players in England.dddddddddddd How hes not getting into this England squad is beyond me. He has put in some outstanding performances.Alongside Payet, hes been instrumental for West Ham this season and they have been their two best players all season.Christian Eriksen - Tottenham Christian Eriksen popped up with some crucial goals for Tottenham during February MERSE SAYS: Another top player! Christian Eriksen has been extremely consistent for Tottenham. He gets big goals for them, good assists and thats what you need from your big players when you are near the top of the Premier League. You have to keep performing when the pressure is on and hes doing that!Have your say NOW - vote at www.skysports.com/pfafanvoteTo be eligible for the prize, voters must be 18 or over and be a resident of UK or ROI. Travel costs are not included as part of the prize. Click or tap here to read the full terms and conditions. Also See: Premier League - Vote Now! Championship - Vote Now! League One - Vote Now! League Two - Vote Now! ' ' '