In Portugal, like in the majority of Europe, people are crazy for football. We are nearing the end of March, so the season is officially in its final stages and the contenders are ready to give their best in April and May, in order to lift the domestic championship. Right now, Sporting CP leads the league with 62 points. In second position, we find SL Benfica (59 points); in third we have FC Porto (53) and the fourth team on the table is SC Braga (53 as well). These are the teams that will fight for the crown, since the others are at least 10 points behind the third and fourth position.
What do the bookmakers think?
The title fight is very tight and at the moment it seems to be a two-way challenge between Sporting and Benfica. However, Porto and Braga are not that far behind them. Making predictions and betting on the eventual winner of the league is not an easy thing to do, but fortunately for online users there are bonuses and advantages that online operators offer them. Those interested can go to Oddschecker and check out its list with the best promos on the market as the free bets. The platform is widely used because it is a go-to destination for whoever would like to stay always updated on news and statistics. A bettor can’t miss this kind of information.
The two teams from Lisbon fought to the very end also in 2024. Last year, Sporting defeated Benfica and were crowned Portuguese champions. The bitter rivalry has been renewed this year and Sporting is, once again, the side to beat. The bookmakers consider this team to be the favourite, but there are good odds also for Benfica. Betting on Porto or Braga seems way riskier at the moment but these teams have the talent to upset the main contenders and would be very glad to shock the whole of Portugal.
Big matches to watch
Liga Portugal’s schedule has some big matches scheduled for April and May. On the 6th and 7th of April we will be treated to a wonderful double-header: Sunday night Benfica will take on Porto away from home while, on Monday, Braga will travel to Lisbon to face Sporting. In May, on the 11th, the Lisbon derby will take place and all the fans will be gathered to watch. This may very well be the most important match of the season. The following week, in the last game week of the 2024-25 season, Benifca will travel to Braga in another unmissable fixture. The reigning champions will have a difficult finish too, hosting Vitória SC who could well still be in the hunt for a European qualification spot. However, Sporting could already be back-to-back champs, should Benfica fall behind in April. Obviously, the enthusiasts hope that won’t be the case, because it would be thrilling last couple of weeks to decide everything in a classic Lisbon rivalry.
The Big Three and their immortal rivalry
In Portugal, the title is usually a matter of the Big Three, the three strongest teams in the nation: Sporting, Benfica and Porto. These are the sides that have won all but two national titles and are typically competing for the crown until the final weeks, like this year. Braga is not historically a successful team in terms of the Primeira Liga, but the club have been developing very well in recent years and is getting good results consistently, in European play as well as in the domestic league.
That Portugal’s Big Three are generally contending for the title is not a surprise because they are the biggest sides in the nation and a desired destination for top players and future superstars. Often, one key player is enough to break the balance between the Big Three and generate a gap too difficult to reach for the other two. This is exactly what is happening right now with Viktor Gyökeres, decisive also in the match against Famalicão before the international break. The Swedish striker leads Sporting’s offense and the opposing defences have not been able to contain him since he moved to Portugal prior to the previous season. The forward is the main reason why Sporting Clube de Portugal is the strongest team in the nation today.
