There was more intrigue in Liga NOS this week as Sporting drew level with Porto at the top of the division, while defending champions Benfica kept up the pressure in 3rd place.

Another big mover this weekend was promoted Aves, jumping from 16th to 12th after a last gasp 1-0 victory away at Feirense. Keeping a clean sheet was in no small part down to their veteran goalkeeper Quim, who pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the home side out, continuing his excellent personal season.

The former Portugal goalkeeper is PortuGOAL’s Figure of the Week.

• Primeira Liga,
• Liga NOS,
• FC Porto,
• Classico,
• Andrija Zivkovic,
• Moussa Marega,

FC Porto 0-0 Benfica

FC Porto have loosened their grip on top spot in the Liga NOS after failing to overcome ten-man Benfica in tonight's 'Clássico', as the Eagles held on to a 0-0 draw at the Estádio do Dragão.

The hosts saw their position in first place come under threat after Sporting's 1-0 triumph over Belenenses hours earlier in Lisbon, as they also eyed a potential knockout blow in Benfica's season to go with a reinstated three-point-advantage at the head of the Primeira Liga table.

In a heated game, Benfica were reduced to 10 men after Andrija Zivkovic's red card in the latter stages of the encounter, but Porto would be unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority after a couple of Moussa Marega chances went begging.

FC Porto will host archrivals Benfica in the latest edition of the Clássico on Friday night. It will be matchday 13 but there is more at stake than usual this early in the season. Each of Portugal’s Os Tres Grandes could find themselves on top of the league by the end of the night.

Current leaders Porto, slipped up last weekend against Aves. And with both of their closest rivals winning, their lead is down to two points over Sporting and three over Benfica. And to make the occasion even more dramatic, Sporting will be playing Belenenses earlier in the day, with that match ending just as Porto-Benfica kick off.

PortuGOAL previews tomorrow’s big match.

Liga NOS football finally returned after three-week break, bringing with it a new life in the title race as league leaders Porto unexpectedly dropped points to promoted Aves. Lisbon sides Sporting and Benfica took advantage with wins over Paços Ferreira and Vitória Setubal respectively to close the gap at the top of the table.

The latter’s result was an emphatic 6-0 win, with two more goals from the league’s top scorer Jonas, who in the process brought up a century of goals for the defending champions. The Brazilian forward is PortuGOAL’s Figure of the Week.