© Reuters
This "Primeira Liga" season is very intriguing.
"Sporting" has bounced back after the last unsuccessful season – they are once again competing for the champions title in Portugal. After 26 rounds, they have a one-point advantage over city neighbors "Benfica" and one match in hand.
Who is leading "Sporting" to a second title in four years? The phenomenal leader Viktor Gyokeres.
The 25-year-old forward played in the "Championship" last season, where he excelled in the ranks of "Coventry City." "Sporting" decided to take a bit of a risk. They outbid "Everton" in the race for this player's signature and do not regret it at all.
Including national team appearances, the leader has already contributed to 50 goals this season (36 goals, 14 assists). Now giants like "Atletico," "Chelsea," "Arsenal" are interested in him, and that says it all.
"Benfica" still has a second front – the Europa League. Their season and points collection pace are not bad, but the green side of Lisbon is demonstrating an even better playing and points collection pace. On April 6, a very serious match awaits "Sporting" and "Benfica" in the league.
At the start of the season, "Porto" fell further behind the leaders but has managed to reduce the gap a bit now. Sergio Conceicao's start was quite slow, so the situation in league context is quite average. However, their performance in the Champions League was good, and there is still the Portuguese Cup where the players of "Vitoria" have advanced to the semifinals.
"Braga" fought for the title for some time last year. This season is a different story – only fourth place so far and a place only in the Europa League. Braga's club could have been affected by intense Champions League battles, as the pace in Portugal was lost, and the competitors pulled away. On the other hand, the form is improving lately, and "Porto" is not so far ahead.
Regarding other teams, "Vitoria" has returned to where they belong – behind the leaders. Here one can fight for a place in Europe, and that should be the most important thing for them at the moment. The team of "Rio Ave," which has been average in Portugal for many years, is struggling with the decline. The team from Porto suburbs is in 15th place, not winning a single match in the last 5 games. The teams in 18th and 17th place drop, while 16th plays a play-off.
In the overall league context, apart from V. Gyokeres, the duo of "Benfica" Rafa Silva and Angel Di Maria stands out. The latter shows that his place in the lineup had a world championship in it was no accident, and the decision to return to "Benfica" is very romantic. Rafa Silva has 12 goals, 11 assists but is also 30 years old – will this summer be the last chance to move to the TOP5 league? "Braga" forward Simon Banza and "Sporting" attacking midfielder Pedro Goncalves also rank among the best of this season.
In Lithuania, the Portuguese league is broadcasted live on the SPORT1 channel.
Gyokeres has been unstoppable 💀 pic.twitter.com/QL7thaGaw1
— 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐠𝐳† (@cfcshegz) March 22, 2024
