The 2022/23 Primeira Liga season is already in full swing, and there will be some key matches Portuguese football fans will not want to miss. Benfica will not be in action this weekend, as the Eagles are involved in a Champions League play-off against Eastern European outfit Dynamo Kiev; after winning the first leg 2-0, they certainly are in good contention to secure a Champions League berth ahead of the second leg to be played next week.
Here is all you need to know ahead of matchday three.
Primeira Liga rankings ahead of matchday three
Here is how the table looks heading into matchday three:
| 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 |
Key Primeira Liga fixtures for matchday three
Estoril vs Rio Ave: Matchday three kicks off with a clash between Estoril and Rio Ave. Both teams have not had the strongest start to the current campaign and come into this game having lost their last respective fixtures. However, the hosts are in slightly better stead, having picked up three points while visiting side Rio Ave have yet to record their first win.
Porto vs Sporting CP: Any match featuring Portugal's biggest sides is always a significant one for Portuguese football fans, and this season, they will be in for a real treat as bitter rivals Porto and Sporting CP lock horns on Saturday evening. Given that both sides are major contenders for the title, this match, although being played early on, could prove to be decisive. So far, Porto are on top of the table after picking up two wins from their first two matches, while Sporting CP sit on four points with one win and a draw.
Gil Vicente vs Famalicão: It has been a rough start to the 2022/23 Primeira Liga campaign for Famalicão, who finished in eighth lats season. Right now, they find themselves in 18th spot, without a goal to their name and having conceded five times so far. Will the visitors be able to get back on track when they travel to face Gil Vicente on Monday evening?
Primeira Liga team news ahead of matchday three
Here is the personnel situation for the following teams heading into matchday three:
Porto: No injuries or suspensions
Sporting CP: Daniel Bragança (Cruciate Ligament Rupture), Paulinho (Unknown Injury)
Benfica: João Victor (Unknown Injury), Lucas Veríssimo (Ruptured cruciate ligament)
Primeira Liga matchday three schedule
Here is how to follow all the games from wherever you are based:
