One of the latest trends in sports betting is in full flow across the world. The rise of free-to-play fantasy sports leagues has been impressive over the last decade and in turn has led to the rise of daily fantasy sports betting across various markets.

Betting on fantasy sport leagues has really taken off over the last few seasons as a great way to really get involved and, hopefully, to win a little bit of cash too. But the toughest part of any fantasy league is trying to pick the very best set of players for the season.

As any fan knows, past performance is never any guarantee of future results but it's probably the most reliable indicator that you can hope for. Take the Portuguese league, for example. If we’re trying to come up with an all-conquering eleven for next season then it could be a good idea to look at the star players from the teams that did best in the Primeira Liga in 2015-16.

Top of the league, by a shade, was Benfica with Sporting not far behind and FC Porto a few points lower down. So it makes sense to pick the best of the best from these teams – and here’s a formidable eleven, at least in terms of their stats.

The Azores are a unique part of Portugal. A stunningly beautiful island archipelago located some 950 miles (1,446 km) west of Lisbon, renowned as a playground for Portuguese and foreign tourists alike.

Made up of 9 islands and home to just 245,746 inhabitants, these islands are a must for anyone visiting Portugal.

What about the football in one of Portugal’s outposts? Paul Gellard explores the region’s football tradition and history, and the teams and players hailing from the Atlantic islands.

FC Porto 2-2 Braga (Braga win on penalties)

There was an exciting climax to the domestic season in Portugal as Braga beat FC Porto in a dramatic final to win the Portuguese Cup for the second time in their history, 50 years to the day after their first success.

Defensive mistakes have haunted Porto all season, and the Dragons rearguard was again all at sea, gifting two goals to Braga. But in a repeat of last season's final, Braga were not able to hold on to a two-goal lead, André Silva's brace, the second in stoppage time, cancelling out Rui Fonte and Josué's goals.

Braga fans must have feared cruel heartbreak for the second year running as Porto turned on the pressure in extra time, but they held out and this time won the lottery of the penalty shootout, Marafona producing two fine stops from Herrera and Maxi Pereira to trigger wild celebrations among the Braga coaching staff, players and fans.

Benfica won the Portuguese championship this afternoon after thumping Nacional 4-1 at a sun-drenched Estádio da Luz packed with 60,000+ ecstatic fans. A brace from man-of-the-match Nico Gaitán, and goals from Jonas and Pizzi overpowered Nacional, for whom Salvador Agra scored a late consolation.

The Lisbon giants win the Liga for the third straight year, something they have not achieved for 39 years.

Benfica’s win meant Sporting’s 4-0 thumping of Braga at the Quarry was in vain, as the Lions finished two points behind their city rivals.