Unveiling the Primeira Liga: Portugal Premier League Soccer
Behind the Scenes in Liga Portugal
The Primeira Liga -also known as Liga Portugal Betclic due to sponsorship reasons- represents the pinnacle, the top Portuguese soccer league. The former Liga NOS is the highest division in Portugal’s soccer hierarchy and is managed by Liga Portugal. It comprises 18 teams, which has been the standard since the 2014–15 season. Teams that finish in the last places face relegation to Liga Portugal 2, with the top teams from the lower division moving up to replace them in the Portuguese league table.
Liga Portugal History
The Primeira Liga was initially established in 1934 as the Campeonato da Liga da Primeira Divisão and has undergone several name changes before adopting its current title in 1999.
Since its inception, more than 70 teams have competed in the league, but only five have ever won the championship.
The league’s format has evolved over time, including changes in the number of participating teams and the adoption of a pyramid system of relegation and promotion starting from the 1945–46 season.
Portuguese league Format
As of the 2014-15 season, the league includes 18 teams competing in a double round-robin format, where each team plays the others both home and away. The league operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Liga Portugal 2: on the course of a season, each club will play all teams two times, once at home and once on the road, for a total of 34 games. When the season ends, the two teams with the lowest place are relegated to the Segunda Liga; the two teams at the top from Segunda Liga are then promoted to the Primeira.
The season typically culminates with the top teams qualifying for European tournaments, based on their Primeira Liga standings or Primeira Liga stats.
Top Portugal Teams: Previous Champions
Throughout its history, the league has been dominated by the “Big Three” clubs: Benfica, Porto, and Sporting CP, who have won almost all the titles among them. The only exceptions have been Belenenses in the 1945-46 season and Boavista in 2000-01. The dominance of these three clubs says a little about the competitive disparity within the league.
Benfica, Porto, and Sporting CP are not only the most successful clubs in the history of the Primeira Liga but also among the most popular and supported teams in Portugal. Their rivalry is central to Portuguese soccer, so make sure you have the Primeira Liga schedules at hand to be on your toes with your wagering!
| Season | Champions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Benfica | Porto |
| 2021–22 | Porto | Sporting CP |
| 2020–21 | Sporting CP | Porto |
| 2019–20 | Porto | Benfica |
| 2018–19 | Benfica | Porto |
| 2017–18 | Porto | Benfica |
| 2016–17 | Benfica | Porto |
| 2015–16 | Benfica | Sporting CP |
| 2014–15 | Benfica | Porto |
| 2013–14 | Benfica | Sporting CP |
| 2012–13 | Porto | Benfica |
| 2011–12 | Porto | Benfica |
| 2010–11 | Porto | Benfica |
| 2009–10 | Benfica | Braga |
| 2008–09 | Porto | Sporting CP |
| 2007–08 | Porto | Sporting CP |
| 2006–07 | Porto | Sporting CP |
| 2005–06 | Porto | Sporting CP |
| 2004–05 | Benfica | Porto |
| 2003–04 | Porto | Benfica |
| 2002–03 | Porto | Benfica |
| 2001–02 | Sporting CP | Boavista |
| 2000–01 | Boavista | Porto |
Primeira Liga Star Players
The Portuguese Primeira Liga has always been a stage for exceptional soccer talents. With Benfica clinching the title once again, the spotlight this season is heavily on Viktor Gyökeres, whose market value peaks at €55.0 million, making him the league’s most valuable player. Players like Viktor Gyökeres, Simon Banza, and Rafa Mujica make sure the Liga Portugal remains one of the most competitive in European soccer.
Viktor Gyökeres stands out with his remarkable scoring ability, netting 22 goals this season -including four from penalties- as a key player for Benfica. Following him closely in the goal-scoring chart is Simon Banza, who has impressively found the back of the net 21 times.
The competition remains fierce, with Rafa Mujica and Hector Hernandez also making significant impacts. Mujica has scored 19 goals, demonstrating his prowess as a forward, while Hernandez has contributed 14 goals, including five penalties.
Jhonder Cadiz and Samuel Essende have each added 13 goals to their names, with Cadiz scoring three penalties. Cristo González and João Paulo Dias Fernandes have each scored 12 goals, their performance consistent throughout the season. Rafa Silva also joins this list with 12 goals, his skill and strategic play standing out on the Liga Portugal field.
Further down the scoring list, Bruno Duarte Da Silva and Evanilson have both been instrumental with 11 goals each, contributing significantly to their teams’ efforts. Joao Pedro Ferreira Silva, known as Pote, and Andre Silva have each scored 10 goals, continuing to prove their worth in the Liga Portugal. Catch all of these stats, scores and odds, UEFA news and more great stuff at our PointSpreads site!
The Primeira Liga remains THE cornerstone of Portuguese culture and sport, continually adapting to the changing dynamics of global soccer. Our Primeira Liga predictions are a must-have to tweak your wagering and betting genius, so don’t miss out on them! Soccer predictions are one of our top priorities!
So go ahead and put it all down, and head to the PointSpreads soccer betting news front for more on more! From Primeira Liga odds to Primeira Liga stats, there’s a plethora of goodies to kick up your betting action. Bet online and don’t let those snazzy picks and parlays sneak away from you!
