FC Porto and Benfica look to stay strong at the top of the table while Sporting will be doing their utmost to get back into the title race.
It’s top versus bottom this weekend in Portugal as FC Porto host Naval at the Estadio do Dragao. With Falcao fit again, the Blue and Whites will have their devastating attacking duo (39 goals between them this season) back together. Despite picking up a rare win last weekend, it will be a huge shock if Naval trouble the leaders.
Benfica continue to play catch-up and are enjoying a purple patch in their season, scoring freely and brimming with confidence having reeled of five victories in a row. They face a stern test on Sunday however. Jorge Jesus’ side travel to Coimbra to take on Academica – always a difficult venue.
Sporting will look to extend their three-match winning run in the league at home to Paços de Ferreira.
Domingos Paciencia’s team have produced some heroic performances in the Champions League, but their league form in 2010/11 has been hugely disappointing, especially away from home where the Arsenalistas have picked up just two points from eight matches.
The northerners must improve that record if they want to return to Europe next season and have the perfect opportunity to do so on Friday against Portimonense. The struggling Algarve club have not won any of their last nine league games.
Vitoria Guimaraes have fallen away recently after a strong start, winning just one of their last six games in all competitions. The demanding fans of the northern club will be expecting that poor run to be halted against Olhanense.
The Algarve club have been severely weakened by winter transfer departures. Defenders Vinicius and Jardel have been sold, which may explain the chaotic defensive display against Benfica in midweek that resulted in a heavy 5-0 loss.
Last week’s victory at home to Braga meant Sporting had won three straight games in the league for the first time this season, and the Lions will be keen on extending that run against lowly Paços.
Forwards Helder Postiga and Yannick Djalo are both out injured for the hosts, which could result in a rare start for exciting up-and-coming winger Diogo Salomao.
Paços are themselves furnished with some talented young players, especially in attack, which should make for an entertaining game at the Alvalade.
These two teams are tied on 16 points in the lower reaches of the table. Vitoria come into the game on the back of a crucial win in a humdinger of a match last weekend against Portimonense, and will hope the momentum of that 4-3 victory carries over into Sunday’s clash.
Maritimo’s long unbeaten run in the league came crashing to an end last weekend with the 4-1 hammering at FC Porto, and coach Pedro Martins is fully aware that another defeat could see the islanders sucked into an unwanted relegation battle.
A clash between two teams who have exceeded all expectations this season. At the start of the season Leiria, who would never have dreamed of occupying fourth spot at this stage of the campaign, but the club now face a test of their squad strength having lost star striker Carlao and creative midfielder Silas in the winter transfer window.
Blissfully disregarding chronic financial problems, Beira-Mar continue to pick up points here and there and will be reasonably confident of doing so again on Sunday.
Nacional continue to display maddening inconsistency, which could put a European berth, apparently there for the taking, in jeopardy. A lack of goals has become a big problem for the Madeira side, scoring just four in their last seven matches. Rio Ave, by no means out of relegation trouble, will be desperate to get something from the match after two successive defeats.
On the face of it FC Porto would expect nothing but a routine victory to continue their march towards the title as they take on bottom-placed Naval. But the Figueira da Foz club gave themselves a shot in the arm last weekend with their first win since August in coach Carlos Mozer’s first match in charge, away at Guimaraes.
It would be too much to expect a repeat performance at the Estadio do Dragao, but Naval will make it difficult for Porto, whose recent displays have not been as fluid as earlier in the season.
Nevertheless, with Falcao back from injury to partner Hulk up front, anything other than a win for the home team will constitute a huge surprise.
Benfica have been in outstanding form of late, bringing back memories of their magnificent displays when galloping to the title last season.
Jorge Jesus’ side have reeled off five straight victories, scoring 17 goals in the process. Argentine duo Saviola and Salvio have been at the heart of that run, scoring 10 of those goals, and with Paraguayan hotshot Oscar Cardozo also finding his range of late, Academica face a tough test keeping the Eagles at bay.
The hosts will not be overawed however. Academica have started 2011 well, with a win and a draw under new coach Jose Guilherme, and Coimbra is always a difficult place to visit. With Benfica absolutely prohibited from dropping points if they want to catch FC Porto at the top of the table, an intriguing clash is in prospect on Sunday evening.
Benfica continue to play catch-up and are enjoying a purple patch in their season, scoring freely and brimming with confidence having reeled of five victories in a row. They face a stern test on Sunday however. Jorge Jesus’ side travel to Coimbra to take on Academica – always a difficult venue.
Sporting will look to extend their three-match winning run in the league at home to Paços de Ferreira.
Domingos Paciencia’s team have produced some heroic performances in the Champions League, but their league form in 2010/11 has been hugely disappointing, especially away from home where the Arsenalistas have picked up just two points from eight matches.
The northerners must improve that record if they want to return to Europe next season and have the perfect opportunity to do so on Friday against Portimonense. The struggling Algarve club have not won any of their last nine league games.
Vitoria Guimaraes have fallen away recently after a strong start, winning just one of their last six games in all competitions. The demanding fans of the northern club will be expecting that poor run to be halted against Olhanense.
The Algarve club have been severely weakened by winter transfer departures. Defenders Vinicius and Jardel have been sold, which may explain the chaotic defensive display against Benfica in midweek that resulted in a heavy 5-0 loss.
Last week’s victory at home to Braga meant Sporting had won three straight games in the league for the first time this season, and the Lions will be keen on extending that run against lowly Paços.
Forwards Helder Postiga and Yannick Djalo are both out injured for the hosts, which could result in a rare start for exciting up-and-coming winger Diogo Salomao.
Paços are themselves furnished with some talented young players, especially in attack, which should make for an entertaining game at the Alvalade.
These two teams are tied on 16 points in the lower reaches of the table. Vitoria come into the game on the back of a crucial win in a humdinger of a match last weekend against Portimonense, and will hope the momentum of that 4-3 victory carries over into Sunday’s clash.
Maritimo’s long unbeaten run in the league came crashing to an end last weekend with the 4-1 hammering at FC Porto, and coach Pedro Martins is fully aware that another defeat could see the islanders sucked into an unwanted relegation battle.
A clash between two teams who have exceeded all expectations this season. At the start of the season Leiria, who would never have dreamed of occupying fourth spot at this stage of the campaign, but the club now face a test of their squad strength having lost star striker Carlao and creative midfielder Silas in the winter transfer window.
Blissfully disregarding chronic financial problems, Beira-Mar continue to pick up points here and there and will be reasonably confident of doing so again on Sunday.
Nacional continue to display maddening inconsistency, which could put a European berth, apparently there for the taking, in jeopardy. A lack of goals has become a big problem for the Madeira side, scoring just four in their last seven matches. Rio Ave, by no means out of relegation trouble, will be desperate to get something from the match after two successive defeats.
On the face of it FC Porto would expect nothing but a routine victory to continue their march towards the title as they take on bottom-placed Naval. But the Figueira da Foz club gave themselves a shot in the arm last weekend with their first win since August in coach Carlos Mozer’s first match in charge, away at Guimaraes.
It would be too much to expect a repeat performance at the Estadio do Dragao, but Naval will make it difficult for Porto, whose recent displays have not been as fluid as earlier in the season.
Nevertheless, with Falcao back from injury to partner Hulk up front, anything other than a win for the home team will constitute a huge surprise.
Benfica have been in outstanding form of late, bringing back memories of their magnificent displays when galloping to the title last season.
Jorge Jesus’ side have reeled off five straight victories, scoring 17 goals in the process. Argentine duo Saviola and Salvio have been at the heart of that run, scoring 10 of those goals, and with Paraguayan hotshot Oscar Cardozo also finding his range of late, Academica face a tough test keeping the Eagles at bay.
The hosts will not be overawed however. Academica have started 2011 well, with a win and a draw under new coach Jose Guilherme, and Coimbra is always a difficult place to visit. With Benfica absolutely prohibited from dropping points if they want to catch FC Porto at the top of the table, an intriguing clash is in prospect on Sunday evening.
