• Benfica
• Moreirense
• FC Porto,
• Sporting de Braga,
• Santa Clara
• Matheus Nunes

Sporting have increased their lead at the top of the Primeira Liga table after defeating Sporting de Braga 1-0 late on with just ten men as FC Porto dropped points away from home.

The Lions, down to ten men from the 18th minute after Gonçalo Inácio’s early red card, required a late helping hand from Matheus Nunes to turn the result into a much-needed victory against competitive rivals Braga.

Porto, on the other hand, failed to go beyond a 1-1 draw away to Moreirense, opening up a six-point gap between them and first place. Also in action were Benfica, who managed to close in on FC Porto with a victory at home to Santa Clara, moving  to within four points of second place.

A midweek Liga NOS round of action saw an entertaining bout of matches take place across the last three days. Marítimo and Farense were significant winners in the relegation battle, overcoming Rio Ave and Paços Ferreira respectively. Tondela also continued their recent form with a win over a hapless Nacional.

The title race took another twist as Sporting rallied back against Belenenses SAD but still dropped points, allowing Porto, Benfica and Braga all to close the gap at the top.

One of the individual performances of the round though came from a substitute, a sparkling cameo from Famalicão midfielder and PortuGOAL Figure of the Week Iván Jaime providing solace in his side’s own battle for permanence.

• Benfica
• Sporting,
• FC Porto,
• Sporting de Braga,
• Vitória de Guimarães,
• Moussa Marega,
• Belenenses
• Haris Seferovic
• Portimonense
• Fransergio

Sporting were made to battle from two goals down to snatch a late draw at home to Belenenses, this Wednesday, as their six-point lead at the top of the table shrunk to four.

Belenenses raced into a 1-0 lead before doubling their advantage in the second half, but a Sebastian Coates header and late Jovane Cabral penalty earned the Lions a point, opening up the opportunity to concede ground in the race for the league title, but also maintaining their unbeaten record in the league.

FC Porto didn’t wobble in the face of the opportunity to close in on Sporting, defeating Vitória de Guimarães with a sole goal from Moussa Marega, meanwhile Benfica returned to winning ways, away to Portimonense, after cruising to a 5-1 victory.

Elsewhere, there was also an important win for Sporting de Braga against their rivals Boavista at home, maintaining a two-point gap behind third-placed Benfica with a 2-1 triumph.

A busy week of Liga NOS action in Portugal began last weekend with a number of intriguing results as the season barrels towards its conclusion. Boavista and Belenenses SAD were big winners in the relegation battle, while Portimonense continued their superb recent form with a win over Famalicão.

League leaders Sporting got back to winning ways after a minor blip, defeating relegation-threatened Farense. Porto remained in close proximity in the table, similarly overcoming Nacional.

Benfica fell further behind their aforementioned rivals though as Gil Vicente stunned the Eagles on their own patch. Their downfall was plotted by Barcelos manager Ricardo Soares, the PortuGOAL Figure of the Week adding to his side’s recent revival.