The Portuguese Primeira Liga has been going strong for six round, and Benfica’s perfect 6/6 record has left the last two winners of the championship title already playing catchup. Indeed, Roger Schmidt’s side have won 11 out of 11 games in all competitions, with Eagles fans excited at what they see as a real prospect of ending a three-year trophy drought.
Reigning champions Porto are in third, while 2020/21 winners Sporting are languishing in seventh place, albeit having picked up form in recent weeks.
And to make things even more interesting, Braga appear set on getting amongst the traditional title contenders. The Arsenalistas have arguably been playing the best football seen in Portugal this season, and after 5 successive wins Artur Jorge’s team are just two points behind Benfica.
Braga suffered a late scare in Vila do Conde, holding on to secure a 3-2 victory against Rio Ave to make it six straight wins.
A fascinating subplot underpins the Champions League Group D encounter between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Tottenham Hotspur in Lisbon on Tuesday evening.
Paços de Ferreira slumped to a sixth straight defeat after losing 3-2 to Casa Pia at Estádio da Capital do Móvel. Adrián Butzke scored in the 17th minute to give César Peixoto’s side a half-time lead but the beavers couldn’t close it out.
Porto put their disappointing Champions League defeat behind them after beating Chaves 3-0 at Estádio do Dragão. Mehdi Taremi headed home the opening goal in the 5th minute when João Mário’s cross was diverted into his direction.