On Saturday, Porto and Sporting Braga will battle for third place in the Portuguese Football League in a match to close the 2023/24 season, in the final round that will determine their participation in the knockout stages.
In Braga, from 20:30 on Saturday, the Dragons, who have one point more than the Arsenalists, defend third place, which immediately guarantees them entry into the group stage of the next season of the Europa League, sending Braga into the qualifying round.
If they finish on the podium, Sporting Braga will only be able to guarantee their presence in the group stage of the second European Cup after the Portuguese Cup final if Sporting beat Porto.
Farewell to the title this season, Porto will not be able to count on coach Sergio Conceiço, who is suspended after picking up a yellow card against Boavista, the fifth he has received in the tournament.
With Visela and Desportivo de Chaves already relegated, Portimonense (16th), Estrela da Amadora (15th) and Boavista (14th) are looking to avoid the playoffs, with the Algarvians who visit neighboring Farense , remain the only ones who depend on third parties, although they must always win.
Three playoff matches are scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Boavista will host Visel, with a win guaranteeing retention and a draw could guarantee this as the Chessmen have a 12 goal advantage in goal difference in relation to Portimonense – the first criterion for a tiebreaker is direct confrontation, but this feature is negated as both the teams won two meetings with each other with a score of 4-1.
For Estrela da Amador, only a home win over Gil Vicente automatically guarantees staying in the top division, and in the event of a draw or defeat, they always have to wait for at least a draw from Portimonense – in the event of a draw, the fact is that in a direct confrontation the amateurs have the advantage.
In the playoffs, the 16th-placed team in Liga I will face the third team in Liga II, with AVS holding a points advantage over Maritimo, playing Tondela and Academico de Viseu respectively on Sunday.
Already champions, Sporting will celebrate with their fans on Saturday at 18:00 at the reception of the bottom team Desportivo de Chaves, receiving the 20th Portuguese champion’s cup after the match.
The final round begins on Friday when second-placed Benfica closes the season at home to 10th-placed Rio Ave, after eighth-placed Famalican hosts Casa Pia “, which took 12th place.
Saturday will also see matches between Arroca (seventh place) and Vitoria de Guimarães (fifth place), as well as between Moreirense (sixth place) and Estoril Praia (13th place).
Program for the 34th, final round of the I League:
– Friday, May 17:
Famalican – Casa Pia, 18:45
Rio Ave – Benfica, 20:45
– Saturday, May 18:
Boavista – Visela, 15:30
Estrela da Amadora – Gil Vicente, 15:30
Farense – Portimonense, 15:30
Arouca – Vitoria de Guimarães, 15:30
Sporting – Desportivo Chaves, 18:00.
Moreirense – Estoril Praia, 18:00
Sporting Braga – Porto, 20:30
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.