Matchday 4 in the 2021/22 Primeira Liga campaign is upon us! The action resumes in the Portuguese top-flight on Friday with two fixtures taking place shortly after midday: Belenenses vs Moreirense at 2 p.m. ET and Estoril vs Marítimo at 3:15 p.m. ET.
However, the country's top dogs will all be in action over the weekend. Sporting CP, who are currently top of the league, will be looking to maintain their perfect start, having recorded recent victories over Sporting Braga and Belenenses. Benfica, who are level on points with the defending champions, will be in action on Sunday following their celebratory UEFA Champions League playoffs—more on that later—while their bitter rivals Porto, who are only two points behind the table-toppers, will be taking on a newly-promoted side on Saturday. Here's everything you need to know about Matchday 1 in the Primeira Liga.
League standings ahead of Matchday 4 in the Primeira Liga
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sporting CP | 32 | 27 | 3 | 2 | 92 | 29 | +63 | 84 | WDWWW | |
| 2 | Benfica | 32 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 71 | 27 | +44 | 76 | LWWWL | |
| 3 | Porto | 32 | 20 | 6 | 6 | 60 | 26 | +34 | 66 | WDWDL | |
| 4 | Sporting Braga | 32 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 68 | 47 | +21 | 65 | WLWWL | |
| 5 | Vitória Guimarães | 32 | 18 | 6 | 8 | 47 | 34 | +13 | 60 | LWLDW | |
| 6 | Moreirense | 32 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 33 | 34 | -1 | 49 | WWLLD | |
| 7 | Arouca | 32 | 13 | 7 | 12 | 53 | 42 | +11 | 46 | DDDWW | |
| 8 | Famalicão | 32 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 35 | 39 | -4 | 39 | WLDLD | |
| 9 | Farense | 32 | 10 | 7 | 15 | 45 | 46 | -1 | 37 | WWLDW | |
| 10 | Rio Ave | 32 | 6 | 17 | 9 | 35 | 40 | -5 | 35 | WDDDW | |
| 11 | Casa Pia | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 36 | 48 | -12 | 35 | LWLDD | |
| 12 | Gil Vicente | 32 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 40 | 51 | -11 | 33 | DDWLL | |
| 13 | Estoril | 32 | 9 | 6 | 17 | 48 | 55 | -7 | 33 | LWDLD | |
| 14 | Boavista | 32 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 36 | 58 | -22 | 31 | DLDLL | |
| 15 | Estrela | 32 | 6 | 12 | 14 | 32 | 49 | -17 | 30 | DLDDD | |
| 16 | Portimonense | 32 | 7 | 7 | 18 | 34 | 69 | -35 | 28 | LLDDW | |
| 17 | Chaves | 32 | 5 | 8 | 19 | 31 | 68 | -37 | 23 | LLDWL | |
| 18 | Vizela | 32 | 4 | 10 | 18 | 30 | 64 | -34 | 22 | LDLLL |
Top games to watch on Matchday 4 in the Primeira Liga
Porto vs Arouca: The Dragons had won their opening two games of the season but sadly saw their perfect start come to an end on Matchday 3, drawing nil-nil with Maritimo. As a result, Porto find themselves two points behind Sporting CP and Benfica, meaning failure to beat newly-promoted Arouca would lose them further ground in the title race. Will they bounce back? Tune in to find out.
Famalicão vs Sporting CP: The Lions are one of only two teams to still boast a perfect record. Victories over Sporting Braga and Belenenses in their most recent outings have helped the Lions get off to a great start. However, Famalicão should be a tricky test. While they are yet to win a game this season, Ivo Vieira's side will give it their all to bring down the defending champions.
Benfica vs Tondela: Everything said above about Sporting CP is true for Benfica as they are the other club with a 100 percent record so far this season. The Eagles beat Arouca and Gil Vincente by two goals to nil all the while booking their ticket to the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League group stage after beating PSV 2-1 in the playoffs. Do not miss their clash with Tondela.
Who's in and who's out for Matchday 4 in the Primeira Liga?
Here are the list of players ruled out for the upcoming round from Portugal's top clubs:
Porto: Agustin Marchesin, Marko Grujic
Sporting CP: None
Benfica: Darwin Nunez (doubt), Haris Seferovic, Ferro, Jan Vertonghen
