The picturesque and mountainous Trás-os-Montes region in the north-eastern corner of Portugal, as its name which translates into “Beyond the Mountains” suggests, has the feel of being cut off from the rest of the country.

It is here that Portugal’s northernmost top-flight team is found, Grupo Desportivo de Chaves. 

• Boavista
• Primeira Liga,
• Vitória de Guimarães,
• Portimonense
• Gil Vicente
• FC Famalicao
• Santa Clara
• Arouca
• Casa Pia
• Liga Bwin
• Jota Silva
• Rafael Martins

The attentions this weekend we’re overwhelmingly aimed at the Estádio do Dragão where FC Porto hosted Sporting for the first ‘Clássico’ of the season.

The Dragons maintained their 100% win record with a 3-0 win against the Lions, with the onus of catching up, in Benfica’s absence, placed on Boavista and Vitória after winning starts to their campaigns.

Both fell short, however, as Casa Pia claimed their first victory against the ‘Panteras Negras’ prior to Portimonense’s 2-1 turnaround versus Vitória.

Elsewhere, Santa Clara picked up a second consecutive defeat after their failure to hold onto a 1-0 lead, meanwhile Famalicão registered their first point of the season away to Gil Vicente.

English football fans are well-familiar with Eric Dier, who is often described by both fans and football experts as a ‘utility man’ on the football pitch.

Now, if it was anyone else other than Eric Dier, that would not sound like a compliment, but anybody who has ever seen him play knows how accurate this description really is. He can cover multiple positions, which is a rare feat nowadays among elite-level football players. 

Sporting Braga continued their strong start to the season with a 5-0 win against Marítimo at the Quarry.

Artur Jorge’s side started strong with Vitinha opening the scoring in the 9th minute and Iuri Medeiros extending the lead on the stroke of half time.

Artur Jorge’s side maintained their dominance in the second half, Simon Banza continuing his fine form before substitutes Abel Ruiz and Rodrigo Gomes sealed the deal.