The race for Europa League qualification and to avoid relegation moves into the home straight this weekend in Portugal.
An intense battle is unfolding for third place between Sporting and Braga. Both clubs have winnable looking games on Sunday. Dropped points by either team could hand an irretrievable advantage to the other one ahead of next weekend’s big clash between the two at the AXA Stadium.
Nacional, Rio Ave, Paços de Ferreira and Maritimo are all still in with a shout of joining the duo in the Europa League next season. Their results this weekend could make or break those aspirations.
At the bottom of the table it’s last-chance saloon for Portimonense and Naval. Anything other than victory, coupled with defeat for Vitoria Setubal at Sporting, will confirm relegation for the duo.
In theory Portimonense can still avoid relegation, but they are reliant on others and must win both their remaining games. That includes Sunday’s encounter against a Maritimo side who have not yet given up hope of emulating their achievement of last year and snatching a Europa League place on the last weekend of the season.
Ousted at the semi-final stage from both the Portuguese Cup and Europa League, Benfica’s coach, players and fans must surely want this season to end as soon as possible. Jorge Jesus faces a huge task trying to motivate his players after the crushing defeat at the hands of Braga on Thursday ended their hopes of making it to a European final for the first time in two decades.
Rio Ave, on the other hand, have enjoyed a storming end-of-season run, and have given themselves a real shot at qualifying for Europe next season. But to do so a win here is essential. An interesting match in prospect.
This match is far from a dead rubber. Sporting reclaimed third place in the standings last week but have Braga breathing down their necks in an intriguing race to make the podium, and more importantly, to avoid having to start next season early in order to go through Europa League qualification.
Vitoria Setubal are not out of the woods yet as regards their battle against relegation. A point of three for the Sadinos would avoid the possibility of having to endure a nerve-jangling final match of the season to decide their fate.
Having crept into a Europa League qualification place last weekend, Nacional will be desperate to keep hold of fifth spot in the standings. Although managing a 1-1 draw against Benfica in their last outing, Olhanense have been in wretched form of late, and with nothing left to play for you have to fancy the Madeira side to claim the three points.
This time it really is last-chance saloon for Naval. Failure to beat Leiria will consign Carlos Mozer’s team to relegation. But there remains a flicker of hope. Leiria have had an awful 2011, and Vitoria Setubal, currently 5 points above Naval, have a tough-looking match away at Sporting. Victory for Naval coupled with defeat for Setubal would take the fight to avoid the drop to the last day of the season.
With Vitoria guaranteed European football next season thanks to reaching the Portuguese Cup final, and Beira-Mar safely ensconced in mid-table, there is little to play for at the Dom Afonso Henriques. A somewhat staid match in the offing.
Despite having wrapped up the Liga ZON Sagres title several weeks ago, FC Porto have continued to rack up win after win as they chase down a number of club records. Another victory on Saturday will make it an astonishing 17 straight triumphs in the league and also ensure the Dragons complete a perfect 100% victorious record at home in 2010/11.
Paços de Ferreira broke a long winless run last weekend with a 2-1 victory over Guimaraes but it would be a major surprise if they escaped unbeaten from the Estadio do Dragao on Sunday evening.
Fresh from clinching their place in the Europa League final on Thursday, Braga will not have had much time to celebrate. It is vital the Arsenalistas win this Sunday’s clash at Academica if they want to reclaim the third place they relinquished last weekend. Braga and Sporting are level on points. With Academica now safe barring an unlikely combination of results, you would expect the visitors to come out on top.
Nacional, Rio Ave, Paços de Ferreira and Maritimo are all still in with a shout of joining the duo in the Europa League next season. Their results this weekend could make or break those aspirations.
At the bottom of the table it’s last-chance saloon for Portimonense and Naval. Anything other than victory, coupled with defeat for Vitoria Setubal at Sporting, will confirm relegation for the duo.
In theory Portimonense can still avoid relegation, but they are reliant on others and must win both their remaining games. That includes Sunday’s encounter against a Maritimo side who have not yet given up hope of emulating their achievement of last year and snatching a Europa League place on the last weekend of the season.
Ousted at the semi-final stage from both the Portuguese Cup and Europa League, Benfica’s coach, players and fans must surely want this season to end as soon as possible. Jorge Jesus faces a huge task trying to motivate his players after the crushing defeat at the hands of Braga on Thursday ended their hopes of making it to a European final for the first time in two decades.
Rio Ave, on the other hand, have enjoyed a storming end-of-season run, and have given themselves a real shot at qualifying for Europe next season. But to do so a win here is essential. An interesting match in prospect.
This match is far from a dead rubber. Sporting reclaimed third place in the standings last week but have Braga breathing down their necks in an intriguing race to make the podium, and more importantly, to avoid having to start next season early in order to go through Europa League qualification.
Vitoria Setubal are not out of the woods yet as regards their battle against relegation. A point of three for the Sadinos would avoid the possibility of having to endure a nerve-jangling final match of the season to decide their fate.
Having crept into a Europa League qualification place last weekend, Nacional will be desperate to keep hold of fifth spot in the standings. Although managing a 1-1 draw against Benfica in their last outing, Olhanense have been in wretched form of late, and with nothing left to play for you have to fancy the Madeira side to claim the three points.
This time it really is last-chance saloon for Naval. Failure to beat Leiria will consign Carlos Mozer’s team to relegation. But there remains a flicker of hope. Leiria have had an awful 2011, and Vitoria Setubal, currently 5 points above Naval, have a tough-looking match away at Sporting. Victory for Naval coupled with defeat for Setubal would take the fight to avoid the drop to the last day of the season.
With Vitoria guaranteed European football next season thanks to reaching the Portuguese Cup final, and Beira-Mar safely ensconced in mid-table, there is little to play for at the Dom Afonso Henriques. A somewhat staid match in the offing.
Despite having wrapped up the Liga ZON Sagres title several weeks ago, FC Porto have continued to rack up win after win as they chase down a number of club records. Another victory on Saturday will make it an astonishing 17 straight triumphs in the league and also ensure the Dragons complete a perfect 100% victorious record at home in 2010/11.
Paços de Ferreira broke a long winless run last weekend with a 2-1 victory over Guimaraes but it would be a major surprise if they escaped unbeaten from the Estadio do Dragao on Sunday evening.
Fresh from clinching their place in the Europa League final on Thursday, Braga will not have had much time to celebrate. It is vital the Arsenalistas win this Sunday’s clash at Academica if they want to reclaim the third place they relinquished last weekend. Braga and Sporting are level on points. With Academica now safe barring an unlikely combination of results, you would expect the visitors to come out on top.
