The 2021-22 Primeira Liga season continues this weekend with a host of matches that could very well be some of the most entertaining in the campaign.
The first order of business for Primeira Liga fans will be to see if Porto can carry on with their unbeaten streak, which has now extended for eighteen matches. The team led by Sergio Conceicao will welcome Famalicao in what should be an entertaining game to watch.
The second thing to keep in mind for this league's fans will be the game between Sporting and Braga, two teams involved in the fight for European spots and with the Lions still in contention for the title. This game between two of the most talented teams in Portugal should be one of the best in the entire weekend.
Once we've dealt with the two best teams in the league, it's time to focus on Benfica, who have had a rough few weeks which resulted in Jorge Jesús' exit from the team. Before their chances of winning the title fade away, the team cannot afford to drop more points, and their clash this weekend seems like one of those in which they can drop the ball to the benefit of their rivals.
Let's have a closer look at what things look like ahead of this weekend's matches in the Portuguese top-flight.
Primeira Liga standings ahead of Matchday 19
Porto are alone at the top with 50 points and still unbeaten, while Sporting are three points behind Sergio Conceicao's team. The third spot belongs to Benfica, a team that seems to have surrendered in their quest to win the title while focusing on the UEFA Champions League. Braga and Gil Vicente complete the top five teams in this league quite a bit behind the leading pack.
Top games to watch
Arouca vs Benfica: The Eagles know that their season is about to go down in flames, and if they want to keep their title hopes alive, they will need to claim a convincing win against Arouca away from home. The red and white side has only won one of their four recent away matches, which may give you an idea on how this game could unfold.
Sporting CP vs Sporting Braga:The defending champions are three points behind Porto, and their clash against Braga will give them a chance to fight for the top spot in the event of a loss by the Dragons later in the weekend. Braga's chances of making the top three would seriously increase if they can find a way to beat the Lions, but that might be easier said than done.
Porto vs Famalicao: The current league leaders continue their unbeaten run with a tight game against Famalicao, one of the teams that are very much involved in the battle to avoid relegation. It should be a game where Sergio Conceicao's men cement their advantage at the top, but one cannot ignore their visitors' need for points on Sunday.
Primeira Liga - Who's in and who's out for Matchday 19
Benfica - Injured: Rodrigo Pinho, Lucas Verissimo. Ineligible: Jan Vertonghen.
Braga - Injured: Nuno Sequeira, David Carmo. Ineligible: Yan Couto.
Porto - Injured: Ivan Marcano, Wilson Manafá.
Sporting - Injured: Jovane Cabral, Pedro Porro.
Primeira Liga - Matchday 19 fixtures
