Sporting have claimed their first win of the 2019/20 season after defeating competitive rivals Sporting de Braga 2-1 at the Alvalade on Sunday.

The Lions, previously winless throughout pre-season, on top of their opening couple of fixtures in the new campaign, got the goals in early in the encounter before fighting tooth and nail in the second half to keep their lead intact, as previously undefeated Braga failed to nick a point in the closing stages from a goal behind.

Across Lisbon, Benfica were on hand to make it two wins from two games against Belenenses before next week’s Clássico against FC Porto, defeating the side formerly based in Restelo 2-0 away from home at Jamor.

Porto were able to bounce back from their poor start to the season some hours later with a 4-0 victory at home to Vitória de Setúbal, as Zé Luis starred with a hat-trick at the Estádio do Dragão. PortuGOAL has all the goals from the top matches of Matchday Two of the Primeira Liga.

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  jon/usa — I know it's still early it the season but I've already had enough of Seferovic. His finishing has been dreadful and his all around play has been really really poor. He's looked sluggish and sloppy both with and without the ball. Raúl de Tomás has yet to score but his quality is undeniable. I'd p......
  Pola33 — I would love to see a follow up about the two Belenenses clubs. The whole situation is fascinating but there is not too much information about it in English. It looks like the top flight club is still struggling to get fans judging by those highlights and lower club managed to win its division last ......
  Joao — Not surprised Porto winning comfortably like that. I can't see Benfica losing or even drawing games, perhaps the Champion League games will have a knock on effect but I can Benfica winning every game until then and building a solid lead. Sporting offensively look good but that midfield is so easy ......

After the long summer hiatus, the Primeira Liga finally returned last weekend with a full fixture list as the new season got underway.

Sporting and Braga experienced different starts to the new domestic campaign, but the second week offers an immediate chance to change that as the two teams meet on Sunday evening at Alvalade in Lisbon.

Let’s look at the predictions for the match from 22bet.co.uk - sports betting site.  

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  Angelo — Let's talk about Renato. I know Sporting and Braga are on, but we need to address his situation asap. Here's a guy who's getting the runaround and it's impacting our national squad. He's, in my opinion, the second most talented of all our players just behind Ronaldo. Please, pretty please, reach out......
  Chris — This site is still the best, even with the trolls. So hard to predict the games this season. Sporting still have Bruno F and some good supporting characters, especially Coates, and Braga is a big question mark. Sa Pinto is like Sergio Conceicao-lite. A guy bartering on his playing career with pa......
  Joao — Sporting will win this game 3-2 but will be losing 1-0 in the first half, Braga probably better than Sporting but hopefully that Thursday game will affect them today. Also trolls only do damage if you allow them to, you know that saying? Don't feed the trolls. I also heard Slimani might make a ret......

With the play-off positions for the Europa League and Champions League decided this week and FC Porto still reeling from their surprise elimination, PortuGOAL takes a look at the vast array of Portuguese talent which represented no fewer than fifteen clubs across the continent outside their homeland.

Meanwhile, the Asian contingent were in action both in the Chinese Super League, where Seleção international Dyego Sousa bagged a brace, and the Asian Champions League, in which there were contrasting fortunes for Portuguese bosses Rui Vítoria and Rui Faria.

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  —-Z—- — I watch some Chinese football because of the fact I do a lot of business there and it helps with conversation. Dyego Sousa was very impressive. I’m still A big fan and think he will have a good season. Santos should call him up for euro 2020 ....

There was a mix of emotions but plenty of goals for Portugal’s club sides in Europe this week. Porto suffered a humbling 3-2 defeat to Krasnodar and drop from the Champions League to the Europa League for the first time in ten years. Further north, Braga and Guimarães both secured their places in the Europa League play-off round with aplomb. 

Guimarães won 6-0 at home to Latvian side Ventspils to take their aggregate scoreline to an eye-catching 9-0. They have sterner opposition next facing Romania’s FCSB in the next round.

Later Braga beat Brøndby comfortably with a 3-1 victory to make it 7-3 on aggregate. Ricardo Sá Pinto’s team will have a very tough game against Spartak Moscow to ensure their passage to the group stages.

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  jon/usa — Benfica should be competitive enough to make it out of their champions league group barring a really unfavorable draw, but anything beyond the round of 16 would be really difficult. Therefore, it's the Europa League where Portuguese clubs have the best chance of making deep runs and earning plenty......
  Marky — I hope S.C. Braga can defeat Spartak Moscow. It's going to be a tough one....

Flamengo’s Portuguese boss Jorge Jesus has been in Brazilian football for less than two months, but the veteran manager has already endured a multitude of ups and down in his new job.

Jesus has already taken part in three competitions and played a local derby, but the 64-year-old arrived at the Maracanã Stadium vastly experienced in working with South American players. The former Braga, Benfica and Sporting coach emphasised the impressive attitude of his current Brazilian players, while complying with a request to name his South American XI from those he has worked with.

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  Miggy — —-Z—- - this guy has got to be the biggest moan I've ever seen on these comment sections. I can understand passionate fans having strong takes but this is something else. This dude comments on every article and it plays out like the beginning of a mad mad mad mad breakdown. "SPORTING WILL BE CHA......

In Portugal Os Três Grandes or “the big three” dominate the sporting headlines and are familiar with football fans all over the world. As a result Porto, Benfica and Sporting’s general publicity, transfer dealings and expectations are fairly well documented but what about the other 15 teams competing in Liga NOS this season?

Here is part 2 of our take on the best of the rest in Portugal (click here for Part 1).

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  Marky — ...again, another well-written analysis of the other Portuguese squadrons. I feel like I have a good grasp on what to expect from the clubs this season. Portugoal, my #1 source for all things Portuguese football....

In Portugal Os Três Grandes or “the big three” dominate the sporting headlines and are familiar with football fans all over the world. As a result Porto, Benfica and Sporting’s general publicity, transfer dealings and expectations are fairly well documented but what about the other 15 teams competing in Liga NOS this season?

We take a look at how they are shaping up after a busy summer, and how they each got on in their opening league encounters this week, you can see the rest of the teams in part 2.

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  Marky — Appreciate the in-depth analysis of these Portuguese squadrons. After visiting the Estadio Municipal de Braga, I definitely have a soft spot for Sporting Clube de Braga. I hope they do well this season. Also surprised by the departure of Dyego Souza. I thought he would finish his career there. And l......

Portuguese international Rony Lopes sealed his move from Monaco to Spanish outfit Sevilla on Wednesday in a deal worth €20m, bringing an end to a five-year stay in French football.

The former Benfica man was unveiled by the La Liga club and has already taken part in his first training session, a little over a week before the start of the new Spanish league season begins next Friday evening.

FC Porto 2-3 FK Krasnodar (agg 3-3, Krasnodar win on away goals)

Porto won’t be in the UEFA Champions League group stages for the first time in ten years after a surprise result at the Dragão that saw them knocked out by Krasnodar on away goals.

The Russian side took the lead after just 2 minutes through Tonny Vilhena to level the score on aggregate, before amazingly the visitors found themselves 3-0 up at half time thanks to a brace from youngster Shapi Suleymanov. Substitute Ze Luís pulled one back after the break and Luis Díaz gave Porto fans some hope but ultimately they couldn’t find an equaliser and will be competing in the Europa League this season.

On a harrowing night for the Dragons, the only plus point is the Portuguese side may look forward to a long run in the Europe's secondary competition. The last two times Porto competed in the group phase of the UEFA League, then the Europa League, they ended up winning the competition. To bet on a repeat visit bolapedia for maximum secured gambling.

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  Marky — Losing Hererra and Brahimi was tough, but crashing out here is just shambolic. Gonna be an interesting year for Sergio's squadron....
  jon/usa — Benfica are the huge favorites and rightfully so, but it's still far too early to be righting Porto off this early in the season, especially since they still have a squad that at least on paper is strong enough to compete. I'm just not convinced that Sergio Conceição has what it takes to lead wha......
  Mike — It's usually been a tight race in the Liga, with a few points separating the winner. I think this year Benfica will have the title wrappwe up by December. Sporting hasn't won in 12 games. Porto looks short on confidence...

Liga NOS returned for another season last weekend with no shortage of headline moments. There were contrasting emotions not only for the “big three” but also the promoted trio. Gil Vicente produced a stunning upset to beat Porto, Famalicão celebrated their return to the top flight with victory over Santa Clara, but Paços Ferreira were dealt a harsh lesson by Benfica.

The latter saw a standout performance from what could Portugal’s latest young star in what is proving a burgeoning conveyor belt of talent. 19 year old fullback Nuno Tavares is PortuGOAL’s first Figure of the Week of the 2019/20 campaign after an electric display at Estádio da Luz.

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  jon/usa — I've been really impressed with how well he has played as an emergency make shift right back. He is far more comfortable using his right foot than most left backs but it is never easy to switch sides as a fullback, especially when it comes to defending. I expect Andre Almeida to regain his place i......

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  2. Portuguese Abroad round-up: Bruma opens Eredivisie account; Castro leads Shakhtar to Kiev win; Pereira Lage torments Sousa’s Bordeaux; Nuno bemoans VAR in England; Debut Ligue 1 defeat for Villas-Boas
  3. Porto shocked in season opener prior to big wins for Benfica and Braga, as Sporting are held to a draw
  4. Portuguese Abroad: Rebocho joins Besiktas as Lille make Fonte commitment
  5. Portuguese clubs prosper in Europe

      

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I want to thank every fan who was at the Dragão supporting us. Step by step, game by game like a united family. Dragons united, we will fight like brothers.”

Alex Telles
(Porto left-back after big win against Vitória Setúbal after fans gave the team their full backing despite a poor start to the season) 
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