Porto rise, Benfica and Sporting slip, Gil Vicente impresses | OneFootball

There are 19 days between the 11th and 12th rounds of the I Liga 2024/25. The international players were already with their respective national teams for the matches on the FIFA dates, while the remaining athletes are perfecting their methods until the championship resumes.

Between November 21 and 23, the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal takes place, and the 5th rounds of the European competitions are also played: the Champions on November 25 and 26, and the Europa League and Conference League on the 27th.

With a third of the I Liga completed, it is worth comparing the table with the same stage of last season, when Sporting were champions. Among the ‘big three’, only FC Porto improved their position. There are also notable rises from Nacional and Gil Vicente and a sharp drop from Santa Clara.

FC Porto improved, Sporting and Benfica worsened

FC Porto leads with 31 points and, like Benfica, is one of the only teams without defeats. The blue and whites have won 10 out of 11 matches, maintain a perfect record away, and have only dropped points at the Dragão, precisely against Benfica.

The team led by Francesco Farioli has the best defense, with only three goals conceded, and the second-best attack, with 24 goals. Last season, they were in 3rd place with 27 points, having already been defeated by Sporting (0-2) and Benfica (1-4).

While the Dragons climbed two places and have four more points than in the 2024/25 season, Sporting followed the opposite path: a year ago, they led with 11 wins (39 goals scored and five conceded), before Ruben Amorim left for Manchester United.

Now the Lions have 28 points (five less than last season) and occupy 2nd place, with the best attack (27 goals) and the third-best defense, tied with Benfica (six goals). They also maintain a perfect away record, but at Alvalade they lost to FC Porto (1-2) and drew with SC Braga (1-1).

Benfica dropped one place compared to 2024/25 and has three fewer points. Last season, the Eagles were in 2nd with 28 points (30 goals scored and seven conceded), as a result of nine wins, one draw (Moreirense), and one loss (Famalicão), under Roger Schmidt, before the hiring and subsequent dismissal of Bruno Lage this season.

The Eagles have not lost this year, but dropped points at home (draws with Casa Pia, Rio Ave, and Santa Clara) and dropped two points away (0-0 with FC Porto). Benfica has scored 23 goals and conceded six.

Gil Vicente and Nacional rose, Santa Clara fell

The biggest rise between the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons belonged to Gil Vicente, as well as Nacional.

The Gilistas were in 11th after 11 rounds last season; in this edition, they are now snapping at Benfica’s heels. The strong start by César Peixoto’s team has taken them to 4th place, with 23 points (two less than Benfica), having already faced both rivals. The previous year, they had only 10 points after the same 11 rounds, meaning they gained 13 points.

Nacional, coached by Tiago Margarido, climbed seven positions: from 17th with eight points in 2024/25 to 10th with 12 points in 2025/26, an increase of four points.

Estoril occupies 9th place with 13 points (up three places; was 12th with 10) and Famalicão is 5th with 19 points (up two positions; was 7th with 17).

Highlight for Rio Ave, which repeats the 11th place from last season, maintaining the same 12 points.

In the opposite direction, the biggest drop belonged to Santa Clara: currently 12th with 11 points, they were the surprise of 2024/25 by finishing 4th with 21 points. The Azorean team fell ten places and lost 10 points compared to the previous season.

Finally, AVS SAD, last in the I Liga with three points, was in 13th place in 2024/25 with 10 points, meaning they have seven fewer points this season.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.