Fierce three-way title race year after year

While the Portuguese Primeira Liga as a whole may lack the strength in depth of Europe’s most high-profile leagues, when it comes to fighting to be crowned national champions, it provides a level of unpredictability and excitement that other major championships around the continent cannot match.

In the midst of another thrilling title race, where Benfica are vying to prevent city rivals Sporting from becoming the first team to retain the title in eight years, Zach Lowy delves into why competition is so tough at the top in Portugal. 

• Rodrigo Mora

Teenage prodigy Rodrigo Mora has strengthened his relationship with Portugal’s and one of the world’s most powerful and well-connected agents Jorge Mendes.

Mendes’ company Gestifute has been looking after Mora in recent months, and on Monday Polaris Sports, Gestifute’s partner company that manages the image rights of professional footballers, announced that Mora had been added to its stable. 

Benfica 2-2 Arouca  

The supporters voiced their frustration at the final whistle but SL Benfica have only themselves to blame after dropping two critical points at the Estádio da Luz against FC Arouca. The home side gave up the lead twice in the second half, with goals from Jason and Weverson giving Arouca a rare and well deserved point at a stadium where they have historically struggled.

The result sees Benfica equal Sporting on 69 points at the top of the table, but lose their outright lead after the weekend results. 

• Braga
• Afonso Patrão

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Braga made it eight straight wins at the Quarry following a comfortable 4-1 victory against AVS.

Afonso Patrão assisted Ricardo Horta early on and the Warriors were leading 3-0 in the 36th minute, Ismaël Gharbi providing two assists for Uros Racic.

Rafael Rodrigues gave AVS a faint hope in added time when he steered Zé Luís' header past Lukas Hornicek.

The visitors never threatened to reduce the deficit however, Amine El Ouazzani getting on the end of Diego Rodrigues’ cross in added time to send Carlos Carvalhal’s side back into third spot.