Can anyone stop runaway leaders Porto? That will be the question many Portuguese football fans will be asking as the Dragons are on the cusp of making history this weekend.
Here's all you need to know ahead of matchday 29.
Primeira Liga standings heading into matchday 29
Here's how the table looks ahead of the next round of fixtures.
Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sporting CP | 30 | 26 | 2 | 2 | 87 | 27 | +60 | 80 | WWWWW | |
2 | Benfica | 30 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 68 | 24 | +44 | 73 | WWLWW | |
3 | Porto | 30 | 19 | 5 | 6 | 55 | 24 | +31 | 62 | WDLLW | |
4 | Sporting Braga | 30 | 19 | 5 | 6 | 63 | 41 | +22 | 62 | WWLWW | |
5 | Vitória Guimarães | 30 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 45 | 32 | +13 | 57 | LDWWW | |
6 | Arouca | 30 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 51 | 40 | +11 | 44 | DWWWL | |
7 | Moreirense | 30 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 30 | 34 | -4 | 43 | LLDLW | |
8 | Famalicão | 30 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 33 | 38 | -5 | 36 | DLDWW | |
9 | Casa Pia | 30 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 30 | 43 | -13 | 32 | LDDWL | |
10 | Farense | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 39 | 44 | -5 | 31 | LDWLD | |
11 | Rio Ave | 30 | 5 | 16 | 9 | 32 | 38 | -6 | 31 | DDWDD | |
12 | Gil Vicente | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 37 | 48 | -11 | 31 | WLLLL | |
13 | Boavista | 30 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 35 | 56 | -21 | 30 | DLLDL | |
14 | Estoril | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 45 | 52 | -7 | 30 | DLDWW | |
15 | Estrela | 30 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 32 | 46 | -14 | 29 | DDDLD | |
16 | Portimonense | 30 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 34 | 64 | -30 | 28 | DDWLL | |
17 | Chaves | 30 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 30 | 62 | -32 | 23 | DWLLL | |
18 | Vizela | 30 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 29 | 62 | -33 | 21 | LLLLL |
Primeira Liga games you won't want to miss on matchday 29
Benfica vs Belenenses: It's been a bad week for Benfica, who first lost 3-2 to Sporting Braga last Friday, followed by a 3-1 home loss to Liverpool in the Champions League. With their Champions League hopes in tatters, as well as now being effectively ruled out of the title race, the onus will be on the Eagles to soar once again when they host relegation-threatened Belenenses this weekend.
Tondela vs Sporting: Six points behind Porto, time is running out for Sporting CP if they wish to keep the title race door open. At this point, anything but a win for them against Tondela could effectively rule them out of the race, as Porto are seemingly unstoppable at the moment. Meanwhile, Tondela, fresh off a much needed win, will be desperate to pick up at least a point here in order to put a more comfortable gap between themelves and the relegation candidates.
Vitória Guimarães vs Porto: The hosts will hope to become the first side to beat Porto this term, but given the form the Dragons are in at the moment, that doesn't seem likely. Porto not only have a six point lead over the chasing pack, but have yet to lose a game this season. Back in the 1970's, Benfica became the first to finish a season sans defeat, while Porto did so during the 2010/11 and 2012/13 campaigns. Barring a shocking collapse, Porto will be expected to avoid a defeat in this game, which will bring their total to 57 games sans defeat in the Portuguese top flight.
Team news for matchday 29
*All info as of 7 April 2022
Porto: Mehdi Taremi (COVID-19), Wilson Manafá (Knee injury)
Sporting CP: João Palhinha (Suspended)
Benfica: Jan Vertonghen (Suspended), Rodrigo Pinho (Knee injury), Lucas Veríssimo (Knee injury)