Sporting and FC Porto seek new victories in Benfica's opening matchday

Two-time champions Sporting and FC Porto will be looking to secure their second win in as many matches in the Portuguese First Division, against Arouca and Gil Vicente, in a second round in which Benfica will be making its debut.

After the superiority shown in the debut, in Rio Maior, at the borrowed home of Casa Pia (2-0), the 'lions' return on Sunday to the renovated José Alvalade Stadium, which has undergone renovation work, for the first challenge in front of members and fans, who expect nothing less than a new victory, starting at 20:30.

The team led by Rui Borges, still without the suspended Matheus Reis and the injured Nuno Santos and Daniel Bragança, hosts a team that also won in the opening round, against AVS (3-1), but which in the capital is unlikely to come away with another victory, so a draw would be a good result for the Arouca team.

Like the 'green and whites', FC Porto also got off to a flying start in the championship, hosting Vitória de Guimarães (3-0), thanks to a brace from Spaniard Samu and another goal from Brazilian Pepê, in a match marked by the debut of Italian coach Francesco Farioli and a huge tribute to Jorge Costa, who passed away a week ago.

If the two-time national champion has, in theory, a more accessible task, the 'dragons, who cannot count on full-backs Martim Fernandes and Francisco Moura, both injured, expect more difficulties when they travel to the Gil Vicente field, which took the three points in Madeira, against Nacional (2-0).

Porto fans are responsible for finishing the round on Monday, starting at 8:15 pm.

Benfica, who, due to the Champions League third qualifying round, in which they beat French side Nice in two legs (two 2-0 wins) on their way to the play-offs, saw their home match against Rio Ave postponed until September 23, meaning their debut in the I Liga will only take place on Saturday, at Estrela da Amadora's home.

Bruno Lage's men, without Tomás Araújo, Bah, Manu Silva and Bruma, should confirm their favoritism, in a venue where they have managed to triumph in recent years, arriving motivated by being closer to reaching the Champions League stage, even if they have to eliminate the Turkish side Fenerbahçe, led by José Mourinho, who they visit in a week.

Also on Saturday, and looking to stay in the group of the top teams, is Famalicão, who visit the newly promoted Tondela, before, in Minho, Estoril-Praia faces Vitória de Guimarães.

Sporting de Braga, who are just a short step away from being in the play-offs for access to the Europa League stage, needing a draw against Romania's Cluj on Thursday, play in Alverca three days later against the returning Ribatejo team, who were defeated in injury time in Moreira de Cónegos on their debut.

Also on Sunday, Rio Ave will make their debut at home against Nacional, while Santa Clara, probably already with their 'passport stamped' for the Conference League play-off, will host Moreirense.

On Friday, AVS and Casa Pia open the round, at 3:30 pm, in a meeting between two teams that started the 2025/26 edition with defeats.

Two-time champions Sporting and FC Porto will be looking to secure their second win in as many matches in the Portuguese First Division, against Arouca and Gil Vicente, in a second round in which Benfica will be making its debut.

After the superiority shown in the debut, in Rio Maior, at the borrowed home of Casa Pia (2-0), the 'lions' return on Sunday to the renovated José Alvalade Stadium, which has undergone renovation work, for the first challenge in front of members and fans, who expect nothing less than a new victory, starting at 20:30.

The team led by Rui Borges, still without the suspended Matheus Reis and the injured Nuno Santos and Daniel Bragança, hosts a team that also won in the opening round, against AVS (3-1), but which in the capital is unlikely to come away with another victory, so a draw would be a good result for the Arouca team.

Like the 'green and whites', FC Porto also got off to a flying start in the championship, hosting Vitória de Guimarães (3-0), thanks to a brace from Spaniard Samu and another goal from Brazilian Pepê, in a match marked by the debut of Italian coach Francesco Farioli and a huge tribute to Jorge Costa, who passed away a week ago.

If the two-time national champion has, in theory, a more accessible task, the 'dragons, who cannot count on full-backs Martim Fernandes and Francisco Moura, both injured, expect more difficulties when they travel to the Gil Vicente field, which took the three points in Madeira, against Nacional (2-0).

Porto fans are responsible for finishing the round on Monday, starting at 8:15 pm.

Benfica, who, due to the Champions League third qualifying round, in which they beat French side Nice in two legs (two 2-0 wins) on their way to the play-offs, saw their home match against Rio Ave postponed until September 23, meaning their debut in the I Liga will only take place on Saturday, at Estrela da Amadora's home.

Bruno Lage's men, without Tomás Araújo, Bah, Manu Silva and Bruma, should confirm their favoritism, in a venue where they have managed to triumph in recent years, arriving motivated by being closer to reaching the Champions League stage, even if they have to eliminate the Turkish side Fenerbahçe, led by José Mourinho, who they visit in a week.

Also on Saturday, and looking to stay in the group of the top teams, is Famalicão, who visit the newly promoted Tondela, before, in Minho, Estoril-Praia faces Vitória de Guimarães.

Sporting de Braga, who are just a short step away from being in the play-offs for access to the Europa League stage, needing a draw against Romania's Cluj on Thursday, play in Alverca three days later against the returning Ribatejo team, who were defeated in injury time in Moreira de Cónegos on their debut.

Also on Sunday, Rio Ave will make their debut at home against Nacional, while Santa Clara, probably already with their 'passport stamped' for the Conference League play-off, will host Moreirense.

On Friday, AVS and Casa Pia open the round, at 3:30 pm, in a meeting between two teams that started the 2025/26 edition with defeats.

Two-time champions Sporting and FC Porto will be looking to secure their second win in as many matches in the Portuguese First Division, against Arouca and Gil Vicente, in a second round in which Benfica will be making its debut.

After the superiority shown in the debut, in Rio Maior, at the borrowed home of Casa Pia (2-0), the 'lions' return on Sunday to the renovated José Alvalade Stadium, which has undergone renovation work, for the first challenge in front of members and fans, who expect nothing less than a new victory, starting at 20:30.

The team led by Rui Borges, still without the suspended Matheus Reis and the injured Nuno Santos and Daniel Bragança, hosts a team that also won in the opening round, against AVS (3-1), but which in the capital is unlikely to come away with another victory, so a draw would be a good result for the Arouca team.

Like the 'green and whites', FC Porto also got off to a flying start in the championship, hosting Vitória de Guimarães (3-0), thanks to a brace from Spaniard Samu and another goal from Brazilian Pepê, in a match marked by the debut of Italian coach Francesco Farioli and a huge tribute to Jorge Costa, who passed away a week ago.

If the two-time national champion has, in theory, a more accessible task, the 'dragons, who cannot count on full-backs Martim Fernandes and Francisco Moura, both injured, expect more difficulties when they travel to the Gil Vicente field, which took the three points in Madeira, against Nacional (2-0).

Porto fans are responsible for finishing the round on Monday, starting at 8:15 pm.

Benfica, who, due to the Champions League third qualifying round, in which they beat French side Nice in two legs (two 2-0 wins) on their way to the play-offs, saw their home match against Rio Ave postponed until September 23, meaning their debut in the I Liga will only take place on Saturday, at Estrela da Amadora's home.

Bruno Lage's men, without Tomás Araújo, Bah, Manu Silva and Bruma, should confirm their favoritism, in a venue where they have managed to triumph in recent years, arriving motivated by being closer to reaching the Champions League stage, even if they have to eliminate the Turkish side Fenerbahçe, led by José Mourinho, who they visit in a week.

Also on Saturday, and looking to stay in the group of the top teams, is Famalicão, who visit the newly promoted Tondela, before, in Minho, Estoril-Praia faces Vitória de Guimarães.

Sporting de Braga, who are just a short step away from being in the play-offs for access to the Europa League stage, needing a draw against Romania's Cluj on Thursday, play in Alverca three days later against the returning Ribatejo team, who were defeated in injury time in Moreira de Cónegos on their debut.

Also on Sunday, Rio Ave will make their debut at home against Nacional, while Santa Clara, probably already with their 'passport stamped' for the Conference League play-off, will host Moreirense.

On Friday, AVS and Casa Pia open the round, at 3:30 pm, in a meeting between two teams that started the 2025/26 edition with defeats.