It’s strange to think that we’re already in December and yet the Primeira Liga season feels like it’s barely gotten started. These first few months have been punctuated with breaks for international qualifiers and domestic cup competitions, and not for the first time this season it feels like we’ve been made to wait a long time for the Primeira Liga to return.

But return it has, and we are now finally set for an extended, uninterrupted period of football which takes us through the festive period and into the New Year.

And this weekend is packed with fascinating match-ups that will test the mettle of the title contenders. PortuGOAL previews what promises to be an action-packed weekend action. 

Sporting Clube de Portugal booked their spot in the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-offs after an exciting 1-1 draw against Atalanta in Bergamo.

Viktor Gyökeres hit the post early on before Gianluca Scamacca beat the offside trap in the 23rd minute and slammed a shot past Adán.

Rúben Amorim introduced Geny Catamo and Marcus Edwards at the break and Edwards made a big difference, the winger combining with Gyökeres and equalising in the 56th minute.

Pote had a number of opportunities to put the Portuguese club in front, the playmaker going closest in the 66th minute when his shot hit both posts and bounced away from goal.

Both teams pushed for a winning goal but won’t be displeased with a draw, Amorim ultimately content with a point that means his side will continue in the Europa League next year.

It seemed Benfica had restored some pride after a disastrous Champions League campaign when an energetic first-half performance was rewarded with a 3-0 lead thanks to a João Mário hat-trick.

But it all unravelled after the break with Inter drawing level, António Silva sent off for the second time in five matches in the competition, and the Italians almost snatching victory at the death.

The Eagles have to beat FC Salzburg by three clear goals in Austria in matchday 6 to stay in Europe this season. 

Braga battled hard to secure an important 1-1 draw against Union Berlin in an exciting Champions League clash at the Quarry.

The Warriors were on the front foot until they were reduced to 10 men in the 31st minute, Sikou Niakaté booked for a late challenge on Robin Knoche before it was upgrade to a straight red card.

The German club took control and opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, the impressive Jérôme Roussillon assisting Robin Gosens who fired a fierce strike past Matheus.

Artur Jorge’s half-time team talk did the trick, his side coming out strong and equalising six minutes after the restart. The goal came from an error from the visitors, Álvaro Djaló racing into the box an unleashing an unstoppable shot that gave Frederik Ronnow no chance.

Braga continued to push forward, Ricardo Horta’s shot deflected narrowly wide before Union Berlin finished with a flurry, substitute David Fofana close to restoring their lead on two occasions.

In the end it was an important point for the Portuguese club who still have a chance of remaining in the competition, a convincing win against Napoli required in Italy in two weeks' time.