League: AVS could be relegated this Friday in Vila do Conde

AVS, currently bottom of the league, could become the first team to be relegated to the Second Division this Friday if they lose away to Rio Ave in Vila do Conde, in the opening match of the 30th round.

The Vila das Aves team, currently in 18th place, has only earned 12 points and, if they don’t get any more in Vila do Conde, they will be unable to catch Casa Pia in 16th place (destined for the relegation play=offs in the First League), as they will remain 13 points behind the Pina Manique team, with only 12 points left to play for in the last four rounds.

Joao Henriques’s  prediction: I’m not bothered at all by a relegation under these conditions.

If AVS achieves its second victory in the championship or draws with the Vila do Conde team, it will remain in the top division for at least another night, but relegation could come on Saturday, depending on the results of Casa Pia and Nacional = who have the same number of points and are also involved in the relegation battle = in their home games against Santa Clara and Alverca, respectively.

The 30th round is also marked by Sunday’s Lisbon derby between two=time champion Sporting, second place with a two=point advantage and one game less played, and Benfica, third, decisive for the allocation of second place, which provides access to the preliminary phase of next season’s Champions League.

The clash between the Lisbon rivals could be exploited by FC Porto, who lead the competition with a five=point advantage over Sporting (and also having played one more match), when they host Tondela, currently 17th, also on Sunday.