All eyes are now on FC Porto as they have the daunting task of overcoming Bayern Munich to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Whilst the Germans have a number of injury worries, FC Porto are also not at full strength.
Injuries have deprived them of Spanish winger Cristian Tello just when he was finding his stride, while star striker Jackson Martínez has not kicked a ball in anger for a month.
On the flip side of those two absentees, replacements Ricardo Quaresma is playing some of the best football of his career, and Cameroonian centre-forward Vincent Aboubakar has deputised admirably for Jackson.
Sandwiched between the two legs of this classic encounter is the much anticipated Primeira Liga clash between Benfica and FC Porto in a week’s time.
The Eagles are three points clear of their arch-rivals and the Dragons must win by two clear goals or more to have a realistic chance of taking over top spot.
Last weekend Benfica routed Académica 5-1 with goals from Jonas (2), Jardel, Lima and Ljubomir Fejsa.
Rafa’s consolation goal for the visitors was only the fourth that Benfica have conceded at home all season.
FC Porto won 3-1 at Rio Ave where Ricardo Quaresma converted a penalty midway through the first-half and Danilo doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time. Ricardo Vaz reduced the arrears for Rio Ave in the seventy-first minute before Hernani Santos added Porto’s third.
Sporting were two goals to the good before the interval at Vitória de Setúbal, but Suk pulled a goal back for the home side two minutes after the break. Sporting lost Ewerton to a second yellow card midway through the half but held on to cement third spot in the table.
SC Braga beat bottom side Penafiel 4-0 with Micael and Pardo each bagging a brace. A quite remarkable game, in so much as not one yellow card was shown by referee Marco Ferreira.
In the Second Division SC Portimonense were denied victory against Aves when Platiny scored deep into stoppage time after Zé Miguel had given the home side the lead just before the break.
SC Farense won 2-0 against Lisbon side Atlé tico with goals from Yang Tan and Edgar Baptista.
SC Olhanense recorded their first home win for two months thanks to the former Benfica centre-forward Weldon converting Femi Balogun’s assist fifteen minutes from time.
On Sunday the Olhão based side entertain SC Braga ‘B’ at the José Arcanjo Stadium (behind McDonalds on the EN125) kick-off 4pm.