Porto reduced Benfica’s lead in the Portuguese League to only four points, with five games left.

Wolfswinkel scored a hat-trick for Sporting, Benfica routed Rio Ave to maintain its four-point lead, and FC Porto bounced back with a victory over Académica.

Benfica gained a key four-point advantage with seven games left, taking a big step towards winning the championship.

As the leaders stay together at the top of the standings, Braga pressures third place, while Sporting drops more points.

The ‘Eagles’ must win this Monday night after the ‘Dragons’ took over the lead in the Portuguese League. Sporting staged a recovery to climb up in the standings.

The tone of balance displayed during every weekend was once again clear, as the two rivals maintain a three point difference in the standings.

The club’s new manager has a distinctive advantage in being Portuguese to focus on the much-needed changes that Vercauteren could not.

Braga and Rio Ave are the other two clubs to have made it into the semis, while Sporting faltered at yet another competition.

Both clubs are virtually tied ahead of a clash at Estádio da Luz after another weekend without mishaps.