Portuguese Primeira Liga: Players to watch & season predictions
Harry Spinks guides us through another of the Band 2 leagues at the beginning of a new season
We are trying to give more coverage of the all-important Band 2 leagues this season. To this end we have hired a couple of new writers, Harry Spinks will be the man to cover Portugal for us.
His opening article gives us an overview of each club in the top tier, along with some key players for each team to watch.
We also get a 1-18 ranking for the clubs in the league, will it be defending champions Sporting CP, Porto, or Benfica who are predicted to be title winners?
Primeira Liga - Season Preview
With the Primeira Liga season having kicked off recently, let’s take a look at what lies in store in one of Europe’s most exciting Band 2 leagues in 25/26. We’ll explore the relegation battle, the European football hopefuls, and of course, the ever-competitive title race…
Relegation Battle
AFS
Last Season: 16th
AFS only survived relegation from the Primeira Liga via the play-off in the 24-25 season, with a 5-2 aggregate win over Vizela. Since then, goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has left, and one of their biggest threats is Nene, who will turn 43 this season. 22 year-old Tunde Akinsola could be a bright spark in the team, having scored five goals from midfield in the last campaign, and notching an assist in the opening game of 25-26. He seems to have made the right wing slot his own, and might be vital to the AFS survival hopes.
Prediction: 18th
Alverca
Last Season: 2nd in Liga Portugal 2 (promoted)
Alverca are new to the Primeira Liga for 25-26, having won promotion from Liga Portugal 2 last season. Owned by a consortium led by Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, Alverca will be looking to stabilise as a Primeira Liga club in their first season since promotion, but may also have ambitions to do more than just survive.
The signing of ex-Wolves player Chiquinho has caught the eye - his top flight experience in a number of countries, including here in Portugal for Famalicao and Estoril, could be key for Alverca. Young goalkeeper Andre Gomes has joined on loan from Benfica, and has gone straight in as number one, so he is definitely one to keep tabs on. 21 year old Gonçalo Esteves, given his debut by Amorim at Sporting, has also been acquired on loan from Udinese.
Prediction: 15th
Estrela
Last Season: 15th
Estrela have narrowly avoided the drop in the two seasons since their promotion. They have brought in a mixture of experience (Renan Ribeiro, Jefferson Encada) and youth (Diogo Pinto, Joao Resende, Jorge Meireles, Abraham Marcus).
The concerns are that there has been a lot of change within the squad, and the additions are mostly unproven at top flight level.
A big loss is captain Miguel Lopes, who played 68 times for the club. One of the most interesting bits of summer business from Estrela is 22 year-old Ianis Stoica, signed from FC Hermannstadt in Romania for €1.3m, who scored 19 in 55 games for his old club. The Romanian youngster scored one minute into his debut for the Tricolores.
Prediction: 14th
Nacional
Last Season: 14th
Nacional’s biggest asset is their home ground location; based on the island of Madeira, the altitude causes a lot of visiting teams problems. Their home form is essential to their survival.
Lucas Joao, previously of Sheffield Wednesday and Reading, has returned after ten years away from the club. Witi and Ramirez Diaz also return, having scored nine and 17 goals for the club in the 23/24 season respectively. Matheus Dias has also signed permanently, having impressed during his previous loan spell.
However, the defensive options don’t fill me with confidence, and I think a play-off victory may be required come the end of the season for Nacional to remain a top flight club.
Prediction: 16th
Tondela
Last Season: 1st in Liga Portugal 2 (promoted)
After years of pulling off some great escapes, Tondela eventually succumbed to relegation in the 21/22 season. However, the Auriverdes won Liga Portugal 2 last season, and join Alverca in promotion to the top flight. The club will be hoping for survival in their first year back, but perhaps not in the dramatic fashion that has become synonymous with them.
They’ve broken their transfer record to sign defender Bryan Medina from CD America for €2.5m. Christian Marques is a good addition at centre back - a number of clubs in England may be keeping tabs to see how he copes with top flight football. In one of the stranger transfers of the window, Joe Hodge has signed from Wolves, having spent last year on loan at Huddersfield.
Costinha has departed in midfield, which is a loss of some good experience. Roberto is also gone, who scored 10 during the promotion campaign. Centre back Ricardo Alves has opted to stay in Liga Portugal 2, joining Roberto at Chaves.
Prediction: 17th
Mid-table Mediocrity
Arouca
Last Season: 12th
Arouca had a distinctly solid season last time out, picking up 21 home points and 17 away points, and finishing a comfortable nine points away from the dreaded relegation play-off spot. Expecting anything higher seems unlikely to come true, but another strong Primeira Liga season should be on the cards.
Young South Korean Bayern Munich player Hyunju Lee has joined for €1.5m, whilst 21 year-old Taichi Fukui could be one to watch in the middle of the park. Defender Chico Lamba has been sold to St Etienne for €6m and will be a big loss, whilst winger Jason left for free. His departure could mean creativity is a little harder to come by for Arouca.
Prediction: 12th
Casa Pia
Last Season: 9th
Named after a children’s charity, and nicknamed ‘Os Gansos’ (The Geese), Casa Pia may be a team you are less familiar with.
Their top half finish last season was very impressive, having only been back in the top flight for two seasons after an 83 year hiatus.
Over the summer, they have lost left back Leonardo Lelo to Braga for free, and centre back Ruben Kluivert to Lyon for €3.8m. Keeping hold of wing back Gaizka Larrazabal is impressive, whilst Jose Fonte provides some much needed experience at the back, at the youthful age of 41. Tiago Morais, a 21 year-old on loan from Lille, is definitely one to watch out for.
Prediction: 9th
Gil Vicente
Last Season: 13th
Gil Vicente have one of the younger squads in the division, which contributes to making them hard to predict.
Over the summer, talented forward Felix Correia has joined Lille for €7m, who contributed nine goals and three assists last season. Kanya Fujimoto has swapped Braga for Birmingham, whilst Ruben Fernandes (39) has also left, a considerable loss of experience in the team.
Retaining Andrew in goal is really key for Gil Vicente at the back, whilst Mohamed Bamba adds quality to the squad in midfield. Gustavo Varela, acquired on loan from Benfica, scored 11 times for Benfica B last season. Young Brazilian talent Pablo scored five goals last season, and has already got himself on the scoresheet this campaign.
Prediction: 13th
Moreirense
Last Season: 10th
Solid, and hard to beat - that’s the Moreirense model. Manager Costa likes to set his team up in a way that is hard to break down, and it’s worked well for them in recent years. If one thing could improve, it would be away form, as the team only picked up 14 points away from the Parque de Jogos in 24/25.
The addition of Mateja Stjepanovic in central midfield from Partizan adds strength to the spine, whilst Kiko Bondoso arrives from Rio Ave in attack. Andre Ferreira has supposedly been signed to replace Kewin in goal, however Caio has played in both fixtures so far.
Prediction: 10th
Rio Ave
Last Season: 11th
Owned by Mr Marinakis, the man who also owns Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos, Rio Ave won promotion back to the top division in 2021-22. It was after this return to the Primeira Liga, in 2023, when Marinakis came aboard.
Unsurprisingly, the club have signed five players from Olympiakos and one from Forest over the summer transfer window. The permanent addition of striker Clayton might be one of the best pieces of business the club do this summer, as he was the only player not from one of the Big Three clubs to feature in the top five scorers in the league in 24-25, netting 14 times.
Jonathan Panzo joins from Forest, having previously been part of the Chelsea academy. Nelson Abbey also joins permanently following a loan from Olympiakos. Still only 21, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the ex-Reading youngsters' progress this season.
Prediction: 11th
European Contenders
Braga
Last Season: 4th
I’m going to blow your minds here - I think Braga might finish 4th. Again.
The club have reached the heady hights of 3rd on a couple of occasions in recent seasons, but it seems unlikely that feat would be achieved again this year. New manager Carlos Vicens is a previous assistant to Guardiola, and I’m sure will impose some of his own style on the play, but Braga are essentially better than the rest, but not as good as the Big Three.
In terms of signings, they’ve added well, as they normally do - forward Pau Victor arrives from Barcelona, left back Lelo from Casa Pia, and Lagerbielke from Celtic. Dorgeles from Nordsjaelland is also a nice addition in midfield. On the flip side, Mr Braga himself, Ricardo Horta remains, as well as Moutinho and Oliveira, who provide some know-how in the squad. It’s been a transfer window focused on bringing in youth, whilst retaining experience already in the squad.
Prediction: 4th
Estoril
Last Season: 8th
Estoril are my pick to really kick on this season and be the surprise package. Managed by Scotsman Ian Cathro, once assistant to Nuno Espirito Santo, the Canarinhos play an open, attacking, attractive style of football.
They’ve added 35 year old Pizzi to the squad, who was prolific for Benfica in seasons gone by. A signing I’m really excited about is Khayon Edwards from Arsenal - if given some solid game time, he might be able to show some of the goalscoring form he displayed for Arsenal U21s. By keeping the spine of Robles in goal, Holsgrove in midfield, and 11 goal Begraoui upfront, a number of players from last season’s 8th place finish remain.
The concerns are at the back; Wagner Pina left for €3m, and Pedro Alvaro left on a free, leaving some worries over Estoril’s defensive abilities.
Prediction: 5th
Famalicao
Last Season: 7th
Famalicao have managed six consecutive top half finishes since promotion. Therefore, it feels as if the appropriate ambition for 25/26 should be that 5th place.
And my word are they having a go, with four transfers each over €1m euros so far, albeit with the departure of Mirko Topic to Norwich providing some of that capital. All of their signings are under 25, with a clear model on getting young players in and developing them.
One of the more eye-catching additions is 19 year old Umar Abubakar, who scored 21 times for Gent B last season, so clearly knows where the goal is. Sorriso has also been made permanent, who had 12 goal involvements last season. However, Famalicao’s best bit of summer business is undoubtedly keeping hold of Gustavo Sa, arguably the best player outside the Big Three. With four goals and seven assists last season at the age of 20, he really is one Premier League and Championship clubs should be keeping an eye on.
Prediction: 6th
Santa Clara
Last Season: 5th
Santa Clara were last season’s surprise package. Having won the Liga Portugal 2 in 23/24, The Azorean team stormed to a 5th place finish in 24/25, clinching Conference League qualification in the process.
The club will be hoping to go well again in 25/26, although may have to balance competing in the league with a European campaign, which can prove difficult. Gabriel Silva and Vinicius Lopes have been retained, and Wendell has signed permanently, preserving the front three used last season. Ricardinho who got 7 goals from the wing will be a loss.
Prediction: 8th
Vitoria Guimaraes
Last Season: 6th
Things seem a little uncertain at Guimaraes. Last season the club went through three managers. The new man in charge is Luis Pinto from Liga 2, and the wide concern is that if he doesn’t get off to a strong start, it might not be long before another change is made.
Filipe Relvas has left for AEK, and Bruno Gaspar has moved to Cyprus, which did leave a bit of a gap at the back. However, Abascal has signed from Boavista to provide defensive reinforcement, and Nobrega from Rio Ave to bolster the defence (and sometimes midfield) further. Gustavo on the wing averaged a goal every three games in 24/25, and experienced Nelson Oliveira leads the line.
Prediction: 7th
Title Race
Benfica
Last Season: 2nd
With a presidential election coming up this year, it is hard to predict what lies ahead for Benfica in the 25/26 season. Many believe that president Rui Costa may not be re-elected, which could mean a lot of change at the club close to the start of the season.
On the pitch, there have also been some key departures for Bruno Lage’s side, with Di Maria (Rosario Central), Kokcu (Besiktas), and Carreras (Real Madrid) all leaving. The Eagles have added players however, with exciting young forward Franjo Ivanovic joining from Union SG, who scored 16 times in the Belgian top flight last season. Barrenchea looks like a good addition in the middle, and Richard Rios and Amar Dedic have come in to provide some much needed stability. Keeping Antonio Silva and Tomas Araujo at the club could also be key to the aim of bringing the title back to Benfica.
Prediction: 3rd
Porto
Last Season: 3rd
FC Porto haven’t won the Primeira Liga since 2022; only once since 1984 have they gone 4 seasons without winning it. Newly appointed Francesco Farioli is the manager tasked with bringing the title back to Portugal’s second city. Despite Farioli’s Ajax inexplicably fumbling the Eredivisie title to PSV last season, Porto will be hoping the football that was on display can once again bring them success. I’m hoping Farioli has learnt a lot from last year, rather than it being a hindrance.
Luuk De Jong and Jan Bednarek are good additions to the squad, having both played in very high level European leagues. Norwich star man Borja Sainz has also joined, hoping to repeat his goalscoring antics from last season in the Championship. In Diogo Costa, Porto have probably the best goalkeeper in the league, whilst Varela is a very strong CDM. Froholdt and Veiga are exciting additions. My prediction for the young player of the season, 18 year old Rodrigo Mora, is an absolute must watch. The teenager scored 10 times for Porto last season, and really is quite the sensation.
Prediction: 1st
Sporting
Last Season: 1st
In 2024-25, Sporting secured their first back-to-back titles since the 1953-54 season. A lot of credit for this goes to Ruben Amorim, who had Sporting set with an almost perfect record last season before departing for Manchester United. So the question is, can Sporting achieve a three-peat in their first full season without Amorim?
The pressure of reaching that feat falls on Rui Borges, who now has to deal with the loss of 39-goal Viktor Gyokeres. Borges must be sick of hearing about how much of a loss it is, but it really is. At times last season, Gyokeres was capable of pulling something out of a hat to win games for Sporting.
The Lions have turned to Luis Suarez (not the ex-Liverpool forward), who, whilst scoring 27 times for La Liga 2 outfit Almeria last season, is rather unproven at top flight level. Ex-Wolves winger Trincao provided 23 goal involvements last season, and will need to do the same again if Sporting want to compete for that third title in a row. One player I’m constantly surprised gets no Premier League interest is Pedro Goncalves, who has operated at a very high level for a number of seasons now. Even with injury meaning he only played 14 times last season, he still provided five goals and three assists.
Morten Hjulmand has attracted interest from Manchester United recently, but if Sporting can avoid the CDM reuniting with his old manager, they may well have a shot at retaining the Primeira Liga.
Prediction: 2nd
Primeira Liga Prediction:
1 - Porto
2 - Sporting
3 - Benfica
4 - Braga
5 - Estoril
6 - Famalicao
7 - Guimaraes
8 - Santa Clara
9 - Casa Pia
10 - Moreirense
11 - Rio Ave
12 - Arouca
13 - Gil Vicente
14 - Estrela
15 - Alverca
16 - Nacional
17 - Tondela
18 - AFS