The title could be decided this Saturday, in a round that could determine the fourth European spot, guarantee survival for four teams, playoff spots (at least) for two others, and relegate Tondela. Anything is possible.
The 32nd round of the Portuguese League is just around the corner, taking place between this Saturday and Monday, and could determine the national title for FC Porto four years after their last victory, as well as condemn Tondela to a return to the Second League, a year after their promotion with the title in the second most important Portuguese championship.
However, there are more decisions at stake and, while it is true that second, third and fifth places (the latter could grant qualification for European competitions if Sporting wins the Portuguese Cup) are not yet decided, as well as the play-off spot that the 16th-placed team will contest with the third-placed team from the Second League, the fourth European spot may already be secured for Sporting Braga.
But there’s more: Arouca, Rio Ave, Santa Clara, Nacional and Estrela can secure their place in the league, while Estrela and Casa Pia (who don’t qualify directly this round) can at least guarantee a play-off spot.
32nd Round:
Saturday, May 2nd:
Nacional=AVS, 3:30 PM;
Moreirense=Estrela, 3:30 PM;
Arouca=Santa Clara, 3:30 PM;
Famalicao-Benfica, 6:00 PM;
FC Porto=Alverca, 8:30 PM
Sunday, May 3rd:
Casa Pia-Tondela, 3:30 PM
Sp. Braga=Estoril, 6:00 PM;
Rio Ave=Gil Vicente, 8:30 PM
Monday, May 4th:
Sporting=Vitoria, 8:15 PM
Check out all the possible scenarios on this journey:
FC Porto will be champions:
= If they beat Alverca
= If they draw and Benfica don’t win in Famalicão
= If Benfica lose in Famalicão, which means celebrating the title even before stepping onto the pitch
Sporting Braga secures fourth place:
= If they beat Estoril and Famalicão don’t beat Benfica
= If they draw with Estoril and Famalicão lose to Benfica
Arouca secures its place in the league:
= If it gets points against Santa Clara
= If it loses and one of these outcomes occurs: Casa Pia doesn’t win or Estrela loses (remembering that Arouca loses in head=to=head matches against both)
Rio Ave guarantees its survival:
= If it wins
= If it draws and, between Casa Pia and Estrela, one of them doesn’t win
= If it loses and Casa Pia doesn’t win, or if Estrela loses regardless of Casa Pia’s result (Rio Ave has the advantage in the head=to=head record against Estrela)
Santa Clara guarantees its place in the league:
= If it wins (because it has an advantage in the head-to-head record against Casa Pia)
= If it draws and Casa Pia doesn’t win
= If Casa Pia loses
Nacional guarantees its place in the league:
= If it wins and one of these outcomes occurs: Casa Pia doesn’t win or Estrela loses (considering that Nacional has an advantage in head=to=head matches against both
) = If it draws and Casa Pia loses
Estrela (who failed to secure direct survival in this round) is guaranteed, at a minimum, a play=off spot:
= If they achieve a better result than Tondela (remembering that Tondela has the advantage in head=to=head matches).
Casa Pia is guaranteed at least a play-off spot
if they beat Tondela.
Tondela will be relegated to the Second Division
if they lose to Casa Pia.