Last year, Benfica celebrated victory in the Portuguese Premier League. Will Roger Schmidt’s team be able to repeat their success? Or can their principal rivals Porto and Sporting get back to the top? Who may be the surprise package? Let’s look at the main point of intrigue ahead of the new season.
Benfica won the Portuguese title last season and strengthened by signing Ángel Di María, who previously played for the club from 2007 to 2010. Just two points separated Benfica from the second placed Porto at the end of the last campaign. Both teams secured a spot in the Champions League group stage. Braga must qualify to join them.
Moreirense, Farense and Estrela da Amadora were promoted to the Premier League, while Marítimo, Paços de Ferreira and Santa Clara will play in Portugal’s second flight this season.
It all kicked off this past weekend with plenty of action-packed games, not least Boavista’s surprise 3-2 triumph against Benfica in the standout game of the first round of fixtures. All fans of sports betting can bet on the matches of each round at the Most Bet betting company.
Who will be the champions?
It’s hard to say, but based on what we’ve seen in the preseason and the signings of the top clubs in the summer transfer market, Benfica seems to start ahead. They have the best squad, they have acquired Orkun Kökçü and Di María to strengthen their starting 11 and the playing style Schmidt has imprinted on the Lisbon giants is difficult to handle.
Porto coach Sérgio Conceição needs reinforcements (especially at left-back and possibly right-back, João Mário’s fitness-permitting) and creativity in a team that he always pushes to the max in big games with his tactical prowess and motivational skills, but he needs a team that will give him stability over the long haul.
Sporting will continue to be competitive and tactically astute under Rubén Amorim, who is entering his fourth full season as head coach, but there are questions about his ability to innovate a well-oiled (and fully established) model. Braga seems ready to fight again for a podium finish, at least, a place in the Champions League.
In line with historical precedent, there are no other teams on the horizon that can break into the fight for the top three.
Who will be the top scorer?
Last season’s top scorer Porto’s Mehdi Taremi will surely be in the hunt if rumours of a possible sale of the Iranian do not materialise. With Benfica’s Gonçalo Ramos departed, a lot of focus will be on Benfica’s expensive replacement for Ramos, Arthur Cabral. Benfica’s style of play will likely produce plenty of scoring opportunities for the Brazilian forward.
Also in the running will be Sporting newcomer Viktor Gyökeres, who impressed in preseason and started sensationally with a stunning brace in the Lisbon club’s season opener 3-2 victory over Vizela.
Who can cause a surprise in the new season?
It is not a very original opinion, but Braga – despite a surprise 2-1 home defeat against Famalicão in their first Primeira Liga match of the season – will continue to work their way up, seeking to finally break the “Três Grandes” triumvirate and reformat it into the Big Four. They have the same coach Artur Jorge, most of last season’s key players remain in place, and have made a statement with their summer signings (José Fonte, Rony Lopes, Rodrigo Salazar).
If they manage to make it to the Champions League group stage, much of their season will depend on how they manage to cope with the struggle on three fronts at once, facing stronger opponents in the middle of the week in Europe before Christmas.
Which player deserves special attention?
Despite his age, Di María still has all the necessary qualities (technical, creative impulse, experience of playing in important matches, etc.) to wreak havoc among rivals in the Portuguese league and be an outstanding performer in all competitions. He has started well, scoring freely in preseason and netting in both of Benfica’s first two competitive matches this season. In terms of pedigree, nobody has a better football CV in the entire league in Portugal. It remains only to see how the Argentinian’s uncontested quality will be translated on the pitch.
