Benfica, leader of the First Football League, will host Sporting de Braga this Saturday, in third place, in a match of the 31st round with an almost decisive character for the attribution of the title, in which the FC Porto.
The Lisbon team has four points ahead of the national champion and six over the Minho team, which they have yet to beat in the 2022/23 season, after losing 3-0 in the first round and 5-4 in the quarterfinals. final. the Portuguese Cup, in a penalty shootout (1-1 at the end of extra time), both in Braga.
Benfica are trying to keep the pursuers at bay, hoping to win a title that has eluded them in the last three seasons, especially as they will want some margin of safety when they visit rival Sporting, in the 33rd and penultimate day.
Sporting de Braga also cherishes the dream of becoming national champion for the first time, which should only be possible with a win in the match at Estádio da Luz, starting at 8:30 p.m., without neglecting the possibility to surpass FC Porto in second place, which foresees a direct presence in the group stage of the next edition of the Champions League.
The Porto team, after qualifying for the Portuguese Cup final, travels this Monday to the Arouca stadium, surprising fifth place, to play the closing match of the day, in which Sporting, fourth-placed, visits on Sunday to Paços de Ferreira, penultimate.
In the other games scheduled for today, the red lantern Santa Clara receives Gil Vicente (14th place), and can be relegated to the second division if they lose and Marítimo wins on Sunday against Rio Ave, while Boavista (12th place) receives Estoril Beach ( 15).
Matchday 31 began on Friday, with Casa Pia and Portimonense tied 1-1, at the Estádio Nacional.
Program for the 31st:
– Friday May 5:
Casa Pia – Portimonense, 1-1
– Saturday, May 6:
Santa Clara – Gil Vicente, 2:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. Lisbon time)
Boavista – Estoril Beach, 6:00 p.m.
Benfica – Sporting Braga, 8:30 p.m.
– Sunday May 7:
Maritime – Rio Ave, 3:30 pm
Vitória de Guimarães — Vizela, 6:00 p.m.
Paços de Ferreira — Sporting, 8:30 p.m.
– Monday May 8:
Famalicão – Desportivo de Chaves, 7:00 p.m.
Arouca – FC Porto, 21:15
Source: TSF
