Starting Eleven
Before we jump into these, it’s important to mention the uncertainty around whether or not these leagues will receive a team of the season line-up. Either way, it’s important to celebrate these performances, and so here it is, our Liga Nos predictions!
Sporting currently sit third in the table, equal on points with Benfica and 5 behind league leaders Porto. While their goals scored isn’t quite on par with the other two, their goals conceded certainly is. With just 22 conceded all year and an average of 2.5 saves a game, Patricio secures his spot in these predictions.
As mentioned above, Porto sit comfortable atop the table and a win in either of their final 2 matches will wrap up the league. With 79 goals scored and just 17 conceded, it’s no surprise they are leading the race, and Telles has been a fundamental part of both the offence and defence. With 3 goals, 13 assists and 7 man of the match awards, excluding this man would be nothing short of a travesty.
Benfica have had an amazing season so far, sitting in second and while it looks unlikely they will catch Porto, they have put up one hell of a fight. Jardel has been an absolute rock across the entire season, defensively fantastic while also contributing 2 goals and 3 assists with the attack. Surely he has done enough to earn his spot.
We have already touched on just how solid Porto have been this season, and Felipe has been at the core of it all. With just 17 conceded all year, and 3 goals to his name, Felipe has rightfully Darby his spot amongst the elite.
We have already spoken about just how incredible Porto’s defence has been this year, and it’s no surprise to see another featuring from the starting eleven. Pereira has been incredible across the season, defensively sound and with 2 goals, 4 assists and 3 man of the match awards, he secures his space in the starting eleven.
Sporting currently sit third in the league and while their attack and defence have both been incredible, this man has been the glue that holds everything together. Defensively, he is solid as a rock, while when needed he can also be the start of a dangerous attack. Year after year we see him feature, and it’s no surprise to see it happen once again.
From one Sporting midfielder to another now, and Fernandes has had an incredible season to date. With 11 goals and 8 assists to his name, he has directly played a part in roughly 33% of Sporting’s league goals this season and with his never-ending stamina and incredible work-rates, this man cannot he ignored.
Straight back to the league leaders now, where we find a man who has once again been fantastic this year. Now while he may not stand out for goals and assists alone, his contribution to the team is always visible and he has been a critical part of their championship push. With 8 goals, 7 assists and 4 man of the match awards, Brahimi has surely secured his spot in these predictions.
From one side of the pitch to the other now, and Martins from Sporting, takes this spot. Just like Brahimi his contribution can not be ignored, and his 8 goals and 7 assists show just how much of a danger he can be going forward as well.
The myth, the man, the legend. It’s everybody’s favourite player to pack, and once again his form this season has been incredible. Out of the 62 goals scored by Sporting this season, Dost has been behind 29 of them. Having scored a massive 26 himself, he has also provided 3 assists and secured himself 7 man of the match awards. This guy is nailed on!
Our final player in the starting eleven is the only man in the league with a more impressive record that Dost. From Benfica’s 79 goals scored, Jonas was behind 39 of them. With 33 scored himself, 6 assists and 11 man of the match awards, you are going to struggle to find anyone more nailed on for a blue card this year.
Substitutes
Matheus (GK) - Braga
Raul (CB) - Braga
R.Dias (CB) - Benfica
Almeida (RB) - Benfica
Pizzi (CM) - Benfica
Herrera (CM) - Porto
Raphinha (LM) - Vitoria Guimaraes
Cervi (LM) - Benfica
Nakajima (LW) - Portimao
Fabricio (ST) - Portimao
Marega (ST) - Porto
Aboubakar (ST) - Porto
Honorable mentions
Varela (GK) - Benfica
Coentrao (LB) - Sporting
Jefferson (LB) - Braga
Grimaldo (LB) - Benfica
Marcano (CB) - Porto
Mathieu (CB) - Sporting
Branco (CB) - Boavista
Coates (CB) - Sporting
Zainadine (CB) - Maritimo
Esgaio (RB) - Braga
Fesja (CDM) - Benfica
D.Pereira (CDM) - Porto
Pele (CDM) - Rio Ave
Danilo (CM) - Braga
Battaglia (CM) - Sporting
Horta (LM) - Braga
Novais (CAM) - Rio Ave
Paulinho (CAM) - Porto
Soares (ST) - Porto