Porto can become the new champion of the Portuguese League on April 25, the day that Portugal commemorates the Carnation Revolution, if they get a victory and Sporting, second in the table, loses or draws.
There are only four days left to finish the 2021/2022 season and the “dragons” reach the final stretch undefeated with a record of 58 consecutive games without losing in the championship.
Porto are set to regain the title two years after losing it to reigning champions Sporting, whom they eliminated 1-0 in the Portuguese Cup semi-final last night.
Thanks to the goal of the Spanish Toni Martínez, Porto secured a place in the final of the Portuguese tournament, which will be held on May 22.
Despite the victory in the second leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-finals, on league matchday 31 he does not have everything going for him.
In addition to the fact of playing away from home on Monday, it is added that the opponent will be Braga, who have comfortably secured their fourth place and beat Benfica 3-2 three weeks ago.
In the event of a draw, with Sporting losing, the “dragons” would also become league winners.
If one of these situations occurs, Sporting’s hopes of keeping the league title will crumble on April 25.
Rúben Amorim’s men are nine points behind Porto and on Monday they will play against Boavista, eleventh in the table.
This Thursday’s defeat in the classic joins the one from last weekend when they widened the distance with the leader by losing against Benfica.
The Uruguayan Darwin Núñez and the Portuguese Gil Dias gave the victory to the “eagles” in a match that ended 0-2.
Sporting will also not be able to count on the Spanish Pedro Porro, sent off with a red card in yesterday’s game in the 89th minute.
If retaining the league title proves impossible, they will look to secure second place for direct access to the Champions League group stage.
Benfica, third, is nine points behind Sporting and this weekend they will host Famalicão, thirteenth.
The first four places, just four games from finishing the league, seem invariable, while in the queue, six teams struggle not to fall.
Vizela and Arouca, two points behind and not far from the relegation places, will open matchday 31.
On Saturday, Portimonense and Moreirense will meet, while in the afternoon Santa Clara will host Marítimo and Gil Vicente will host Paços de Ferreira.
Belenenses, last, will travel to Estoril Praia on Sunday in an attempt to stop being bottom while Vitória will play in Tondela’s field.