Matchday 32 in the Primeira Liga is upon us, and what a round of football this could turn out to be!
The action will get underway on Friday, with Famalicão taking on Estoril in the very first kick-off. Nonetheless, all eyes will be on the weekend as Benfica and Porto take to the field on Saturday while Sporting CP will have to wait until Sunday for their fixture.
This will be an important round for Porto as the Dragons could officially get their hands on their 30th Primeira Liga crown on Saturday with a win. Elsewhere, Arouca, who are fighting for their lives to avoid the relegation zone, will face Portimonense in their bid to avoid the drop this term.
Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming matchday in the Primeira Liga.
Who are the top teams in the Primeira Liga ahead of Matchday 32?
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sporting CP | 28 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 83 | 27 | +56 | 74 | WWWWW | |
| 2 | Benfica | 29 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 65 | 23 | +42 | 70 | WLWWW | |
| 3 | Porto | 29 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 53 | 23 | +30 | 59 | DLLWW | |
| 4 | Sporting Braga | 29 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 61 | 40 | +21 | 59 | WLWWD | |
| 5 | Vitória Guimarães | 29 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 45 | 29 | +16 | 57 | DWWWW | |
| 6 | Moreirense | 29 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 30 | 33 | -3 | 43 | LDLWL | |
| 7 | Arouca | 29 | 13 | 4 | 12 | 50 | 39 | +11 | 43 | WWWLL | |
| 8 | Famalicão | 28 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 31 | 35 | -4 | 35 | DWWDL | |
| 9 | Casa Pia | 29 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 29 | 41 | -12 | 32 | DDWLL | |
| 10 | Farense | 29 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 38 | 41 | -3 | 31 | DWLDL | |
| 11 | Rio Ave | 29 | 5 | 15 | 9 | 31 | 37 | -6 | 30 | DWDDD | |
| 12 | Boavista | 29 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 34 | 55 | -21 | 29 | LLDLW | |
| 13 | Estoril | 29 | 8 | 5 | 16 | 43 | 50 | -7 | 29 | LDWWL | |
| 14 | Gil Vicente | 29 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 36 | 48 | -12 | 28 | LLLLD | |
| 15 | Estrela | 29 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 31 | 45 | -14 | 28 | DDLDW | |
| 16 | Portimonense | 29 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 32 | 62 | -30 | 27 | DWLLL | |
| 17 | Chaves | 29 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 28 | 60 | -32 | 22 | WLLLD | |
| 18 | Vizela | 29 | 4 | 9 | 16 | 28 | 60 | -32 | 21 | LLLLW |
Top games to watch on Matchday 32 in the Primeira Liga
Maritimo vs Benfica
It was roughly two weeks ago when Benfica produced two respectable results, with the Portuguese giants drawing 3-3 at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals against Liverpool before beating Lisbon rivals Sporting CP 2-0 in the league. While the Eagles crashed out of Europe nonetheless, it was a performance that evoked pride from their supporters, especially given their disappointing 2021/22 campaign. Unfortunately, what came after that was a frustrating nil-nil draw with Famalicão, which has left Nunez and Co. with a nearly impossible chance of finishing in the top two. As a result, Benfica will likely miss out on UEFA Champions League football. However, pride is still on the line and Nélson Veríssimo's men must finish the season strong.
Their opponents this weekend will be Maritimo, who sit 11 points adrift of the fifth and final European berth. Nonetheless, the seventh-placed side look to obtain some consistency in the final stretch, having won only twice in their last eight games. It should be noted that the home side were able to pick up a point against Sporting CP in late February and will thus give it their all to upset the other Lisbon heavyweight.
Porto vs Vizela
For the first time in 58 games, Porto enter a Primeira Liga tie on the back of a defeat. After going on a brilliant unbeaten run, equaling AC Milan's record of longest run of consecutive league games without defeat, the Dragons were finally brought down, being undone by none other than Sporting Braga. Ricardo Horta scored the only goal of that game, leaving the league leaders frustrated and empty-handed. Nonetheless, Sérgio Conceição's men remain on track to lifting the title, with the hosts needing a win in order to be declared the champions of Portugal. Will they pull this off this weekend?
The odds are in Porto's favor. Vizela, despite entering this game on the back of a 2-1 victory over Arouca, have triumphed only twice in their last 11 games. As a result, it comes as little surprise to see the away side sitting in the bottom half of the table, with only five other clubs boasting a worse points tally. Do not miss this fixture.
Sporting CP vs Gil Vicente
Sporting CP have little to play for this season. While the Lions are still mathematically in the title race, six points separate the second-placed side from league leaders Porto with only three games remaining, meaning only a catastrophic collapse will see the Lisbon giants successfully defend their title. Additionally, the home side are eight points ahead of third-placed Benfica, meaning the odds of Sporting CP missing out on a runners-up finish and UEFA Champions League football are slim. Nonetheless, this changes little for Rúben Amorim's side as they will go in search of the three points against their fellow top-five club.
Gil Vicente, who sit in fifth due to a five-point gap, will look to keep as much distance as possible between themselves and sixth-placed Vitoria. Successfully pull this off and the visitors will secure a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season. However, beating Sporting CP is a tough ask for most clubs, let alone Gilistas. Tune in on Sunday to find out whether the visitors can shock the Portuguese giants.
Who's out for Matchday 32 in the Primeira Liga?
Benfica: They have a fully-fit squad
Porto: Wilson Manafa (injured); Matheus Uribe and Bruno Costa (doubtful)
Sporting CP: Pedro Porro (suspended)
