Amarante could secure promotion to the Second League, although it doesn’t depend on them. Six of the eight clubs at this stage still have a chance of promotion, either directly or through the play=offs.
The decisions regarding promotion to the Second League are drawing ever closer, and between this Friday and Sunday, the 12th and penultimate round of the Liga 3 could already provide a definition as to which teams will be promoted and which are in the race for the two direct promotion spots and the play=offs.
Heading into the next round, league leaders Amarante (24 points) and Académica (21 points) occupy the two direct promotion spots. Belenenses is third with 19 points, holding the playoff spot to be contested with the 16th=placed team from the Second League. Outside those spots, but still with varying chances of direct promotion or promotion via the playoff, are Vitória B (16 points), Varzim (13), and Mafra (13). U. Santarem and Trofense, both with eight points, are out of contention for promotion.
The decisions regarding promotion to the Second League are drawing ever closer, and between this Friday and Sunday, the 12th and penultimate round of the Liga 3 could already provide a definition as to which teams will be promoted and which are in the race for the two direct promotion spots and the play-offs.
Heading into the next round, league leaders Amarante (24 points) and Académica (21 points) occupy the two direct promotion spots. Belenenses is third with 19 points, holding the playoff spot to be contested with the 16th-placed team from the Second League. Outside those spots, but still with varying chances of direct promotion or promotion via the playoff, are Vitória B (16 points), Varzim (13), and Mafra (13). U. Santarem and Trofense, both with eight points, are out of contention for promotion
Matchday 12 = Dates and Times
Trofense=Amarante (Friday, 3:00 PM)
Belenenses=U. Santarem (Saturday, 11:00 AM)
Vitoria B=Mafra (Sunday, 11:00 AM)
Academica=Varzim (Sunday, 7:00 PM).
Direct promotion to the Second League:
Amarante can secure promotion if and only if they get points this matchday. More precisely, if they win and Belenenses don’t win. But they can also secure it if they draw, Belenenses lose, and Vitoria B doesn’t win. In this calculation, it’s important to remember that Amarante has an advantage in the head=to=head record against Belenenses (they won 2-1 at Restelo and drew 2-2 at home) and, against Vitoria B, they have a partial advantage (they won 2-1 at home, but still have to play in Guimarães in the final matchday).
Promotion play=off:
Academica, currently in a direct promotion spot and well=positioned in the Second League, has a five=point cushion over the first team below the playoff place. They will secure at least third place if they win and Vitoria B doesn’t. A draw doesn’t guarantee them at least third place even if Vitória B loses, because in that scenario Academica would have 22 points, Vitoria B 16, and Mafra (who play Vitoria B) also 16. There is equality in the head=to=head record between Academica and Vitoria B (both won 1-0 at home in their two direct encounters), and Academica still has to play Mafra, although they hold a partial advantage in the head=to=head record (having won 2-0 at home).
Regarding the play=offs, but in the case of Belenenses, who are currently third in the standings, a victory would leave them close to securing at least third place. However, even if Vitoria B loses to Mafra, their six-point advantage over both teams wouldn’t guarantee them third place due to head=to=head results.
General dispute for promotion:
As mentioned above, Varzim and Mafra have the slimmest chances of promotion and are almost obliged to win this matchday. They will be out of contention for direct promotion if they lose. They will also be eliminated from the play=off race if they draw and Belenenses win.