The start of the 2025/26 Primeira Liga season is just around the corner and there is just one major puzzle to unravel – which one of the ‘Big Three’ will win the title?
More than 70 teams have competed in the Primeira Liga since it was launched in 1934, but only five have been crowned champions.
Benfica (38 wins), Porto (30) and Sporting CP (21) have won all but two titles - the other winners were Belenenses (1945/46) and Boavista (2000/01).
With that in mind, read on as we look at the outright odds and Matchday 1 fixtures for 2025/26, before assessing which of the big guns will claim top spot this season.
Primeira Liga 2025/26 – Outright Odds
Sporting are the bookmakers’ favourites heading into the new campaign and will fancy their chances of winning their third consecutive league title.
However, there is little to choose between the top teams on the sportsbooks featured on BestBettingSites.co.uk, and picking a winner is no easy task. The latest odds are as follows:
- Sporting CP – 23/20
- Benfica – 6/5
- FC Porto – 4/1
- Braga – 50/1
- Santa Clara - 100/1
- Vitoria SC – 200/1
- Famalicao – 500/1
- Estoril – 500/1
- Casa Pia – 500/1
- Moreirense – 500/1
- Rio Ave – 500/1
- FC Arouca – 500/1
- Gil Vicente – 750/1
- Nacional – 750/1
- Estrela Amadora – 750/1
- AVS – 750/1
- Tondela – 750/1
- Alverca – 750/1
Primeira Liga 2025/26 – Matchday 1 Fixtures
Friday, August 8
- Casa Pia vs Sporting CP
Saturday, August 9
- Nacional vs Gil Vicente
- FC Porto vs Vitoria SC
- FC Arouca vs AVS
Sunday, August 10
- Famalicao vs Santa Clara
- Braga vs Tondela
- Moreirense vs Alverca
Monday, August 11
- Estoril Praia vs Estrela da Amadora
TBC
- Benfica vs Rio Ave
Primeira Liga 2025/26 – Season Preview
Sporting finished ahead of Benfica and Porto for the second successive season last term and the same teams are expected to dominate again.
Braga are the only team to break their collective stranglehold over the past few years, finishing third in 2019/20 and 2022/23.
They claimed fourth position last season and are the team most likely to capitalise if one of the ‘Big Three’ fails to live up to expectations.
Sporting are bidding to make it three-in-row in 2025/26, but they have not achieved the feat since the 1950s and could come up short this time around.
The loss of star striker Viktor Gyökeres to Arsenal is a massive blow to their title hopes and could open the door for Benfica or Porto to pounce.
Colombian forward Luis Suárez has joined the club after a prolific campaign with Almeria in La Liga 2 in Spain, but may struggle to match the Swedish striker.
His record of 23 goals in 100 top flight appearances in Spain does not inspire confidence that he is the right man to replace Gyökeres.
While the reigning champions should retain their place in the top three, they make limited appeal in the outright market this season.
Benfica will be desperate to knock Sporting off their perch after finishing second in each of the previous two campaigns.
They have made several shrewd signings this summer including midfielder Richard Ríos, who has joined the club from Brazilian giants Palmeiras.
The Colombian star was hugely impressive at the 2024 Copa America and should be a standout performer for Benfica this season.
Benfica have made several other noteworthy acquisitions this summer and look a good bet to finish ahead of Sporting in the title race.
However, their hopes of winning the championship for a record extending 39th time could be scuppered by FC Porto.
Odds of 4/1 to claim top spot look great value given the investment they have made in new signings during the summer transfer window.
Promising midfielder Victor Froholdt has arrived from FC Copenhagen, while right-back Alberto Costa has been signed from Juventus.
Borja Sainz has been snapped up after a prolific season with Norwich City in the English Championship and he will create plenty of chances for his teammates next season.
Gabri Veiga, Nehuén Pérez (loan from last season made permanent) and Jan Bednarek are other noteworthy additions to a squad which looks primed to mount a strong title challenge.
Porto can also form the cornerstone of an eye-catching wager on the opening weekend. They start their campaign at home to Vitoria SC and are strongly fancied to pick up three points.
Sporting CP and Braga are also expected to win their respective Primeira Liga fixtures to complete a tasty 2/1 treble on Matchday 1.
