2018 has opened with a feast of football for Liga NOS fans with games coming thick and fast in January. Week 16 was thrilling one, full of goals, red cards and controversy as Porto extended their lead at the top after Sporting and Benfica shared the points in the Lisbon derby.

But PortuGOAL’s Figure of the Week comes from outside “The Big 3”, although perhaps not for much longer. Rio Ave’s Rúben Ribeiro is reportedly close to joining Sporting in this transfer window and he was at his electric best in his current side’s 4-2 win over Paços de Ferreira.

• Benfica
• Primeira Liga,
• Sporting,
• FC Porto,
• Sporting de Braga,

Away from the watchful eye of many, FC Porto took to the shadows of the Lisbon Derby to face Feirense in Santa Maria da Feira this Wednesday, as the Dragons welcomed the first bit of Primeira Liga action of 2018.

Against the self-proclaimed injustices of officiating, ten-man Porto battled to hold on to a treasured 2-1 lead, taking them two points clear at the top of the table after Sporting's 1-1 draw at Benfica later in the night.

Also keen to take advantage of the points dropped at the Estádio da Luz were Sporting de Braga, in a hotly-contested clash of their own versus Boavista, as the 4th-placed side turned to the bench to inspire a 3-1 win away from home. PortuGOAL brings you the return of Primeira Liga action in Matchday 16:

Benfica 1-1 Sporting

A last minute Jonas penalty earned Benfica a hard-fought and well-deserved draw at the Estádio da Luz. Gelson Martins opened the scoring for Sporting early on but Rodrigo Battaglia handled in the area late in the game to give Benfica a point after Jonas beat Rui Patrício from the spot.

It's a result that will delight Porto fans most of all, who go two points clear of Sporting and five ahead of Benfica at the top of the table.

When the Liga NOS resumes next month after its short Christmas break, Portugal’s Big Three will be in for a strenuous sprint to the finish. Porto, Sporting and Benfica are within just three points of each other, raising the prospect of the league having as tight a race as we have seen since the dramatic 2006/2007 season. That year, all three clubs finished within two points of each other, and it is not difficult to see another captivating conclusion this season.

Just about at the halfway point, PortuGOAL assesses each of the three contenders thus far, and look at how each of them may win the league this May.