• Benfica
• Maritimo
• Moreirense
• Sporting,
• FC Porto,
• Sporting de Braga,
• Farense
• Luis Diaz
• Santa Clara
• Pedro Goncalves

Benfica became the fourth member of the Primeira Liga’s top four to claim victory this weekend, after returning to winning ways in a 2-1 victory away to Marítimo.

Sporting readjusted their grip of first place after coming back from a goal down against Moreirense to win 2-1, shortly after FC Porto had done their bit away to Santa Clara, courtesy of Luis Diaz’s sole goal.

Just one strike was enough to hand Sporting de Braga all three points too against Farense on Sunday night, prior to Benfica wrapping up the week’s action, coming from behind in Madeira to complete a quartet of single-goal victories.

Ten goals spread over two highly entertaining games saw Braga and Benfica draw against Leicester City and Rangers respectively in the Europa League tonight.

In northern Portugal Braga took the lead three times against the Foxes but were three times pegged back by the English side, with the final equaliser in the 95th minute hard to stomach, although a draw was probably the right result.

While Braga’s draw will feel like a defeat, Benfica’s will feel more like a victory after coming from two goals down at Ibrox to get a share of the points against Rangers. An insipid opening 70 minutes and more loose defending seemed to spell defeat for Jorge Jesus’ side, but Benfica rallied strongly in the last 20 minutes with substitutes Gonçalo Ramos and Pizzi rescuing a point. 

Marseille 0-2 FC Porto

A goal in each half from Zaidu Sanusi and Sérgio Oliveira (penalty) gave Porto a 2-0 victory in France against Marseille to virtually book their spot in the last 16 of the competition. The Dragons need a maximum of one point from their remaining two games in Group C to qualify for the knockouts. 

In stark contrast to recent years, Sporting have made a flying start to the season while both Benfica and Porto have dropped unexpected points in the early rounds of the new campaign. As a result, Sporting are four points clear at the top of the table.

The new signings at Alvalade have settled quickly, coach Rúben Amorim has a tactical plan that is working, and the Lions – unlike Benfica, Porto and Braga – have no European football to distract them from carefully preparing for their next Liga match every week.

Are the ingredients in place for Sporting to end an 18-year wait for a championship triumph? PortuGOAL analyses Sporting’s title credentials.