It has been a memorable start to the 2022/23 Primeira Liga season for Algarve’s leading football team, Portimonense SC. After a somewhat barren spell outside of the Portuguese top flight during the 1990s and 2000s, Portimonense is much more of a permanent fixture in the Primeira Liga these days.
After evading relegation in 2019/20 due to off-field issues involving clubs Vitoria de Setubal and C.D. Aves, the club is battling hard to make the most of its extra time at the top table of Portuguese football. It remains the most popular sporting club in Portimao, despite the successes in recent years of its basketball team.
Six games into the 22/23 season and Portimonense have racked up 12 points, with four wins and two defeats to their name. Paulo Sergio’s men had been on a run of four consecutive victories, but a 4-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon brought that to an abrupt end.
In Portimonense’s three opening away games of the Primeira Liga campaign, they have twice been leading at half time. Those who wager on Portugal’s top division may wish to consider backing the Portimao club to score first on their travels, based on this early-season data. Backing the half time result is one of the five most popular football betting markets, requiring fans to predict the half time scoreline rather than the full time result.
A closer look at the Portimonense 2022/23 squad
The Portimonense roster is a melting pot of cultures, with a host of Brazilians, Portuguese and Asian stars comprising most of the starting XI. Long-serving Brazilian midfielder Ewerton is back for a third spell at the club. The 29-year-old played 142 times between 2014-18 before moving to Porto. However, his move to the Portuguese giants resulted in him being loaned out three times – twice to his former employers – before securing a permanent switch back to the Algarve in 2021. He is a rock-solid competitor in the spine of the Portimonense side.
His compatriot, Yago Cariello, signed for Portimonense this summer after notching 12 goals in 24 games for Portuguese third tier side União de Santarém. With two goals in three appearances so far this term, it seems Cariello is making the step up to Primeira Liga level with relative ease.
If Portimonense are to cement themselves in the top half of the Primeira Liga this season, they’ll also need new goalkeeper Berke Ozer to step up to the plate. The Turkish under-21 international signed from Fenerbahçe in the summer. The 6ft 3” stopper should have the presence to offer a sense of calm to the Portimonense backline.
The last time Portimonense secured a top-half finish in the Primeira Liga was way back in 1985/86, but there is every chance their collection of bargain basement signings can upset the apple cart and be a thorn in the side of the Portuguese elite this term.
