This page covers betting on the Primeira Liga, the top football division in Portugal. A league known for the historic rivalry between Benfica, Porto, and Sporting Lisbon, clubs that have often competed for the national title.
The top 5 online bookmakers for the Primeira Liga
| MyStake | MyStake | 100% bonus up to €500 | Visit the site |
| Kingmaker | Kingmaker | 100% bonus up to €100 | Visit the site |
| Paripesa | Paripesa | 100% bonus up to €100 | Visit the site |
| Weltbet | Weltbet | 100% bonus up to €200 | Visit the site |
| Wazamba | Wazamba | 100% bonus up to €100 | Visit the site |
Follow along as we discuss many topics, from the league format to the most important team records, including an explanation of the main single match and outright markets. You’ll also find historical info and strategic tips, before we answer your questions. Put on some Portuguese fado music and discover with us the best Primeira Liga betting sites!
Basic information to bet on the Primeira Liga
| Name: | Primeira Liga |
| Location: | Lisbon |
| Year of foundation: | 1934 |
| Sponsor: | NOS |
| Website: | http://ligaportugal.pt/pt/homepage/ |
| Number of teams: | 18 |
| In Champions League: | 3 (1 in qualifying rounds) |
| In Europa League: | 3 (2 in qualifying rounds) |
| Relegated teams: | 2 |
The Portuguese league is without doubt one of the most historic in Europe. It reflects a type of football less “flashy” than South American football, yet still technical and with a long tradition (as also confirmed by the national team’s achievements). The top division was founded in 1921. After some changes in format and structure — including the 1934 shift to a true national league — it has had its current configuration since the 2014/15 season.
To bet on the Primeira Liga, it’s important to know that this is an 18-team tournament with home and away matches, played from August to May in a single round-robin format: a common system in most European leagues, with no playoffs for the title or for promotion/relegation.
The winning team, since the 2007 season, wears a celebratory badge on their shirts for the following campaign. Additionally, the first and second place teams qualify directly for the Champions League group stage, while the third must play in the qualifying rounds.
The fourth and fifth place teams qualify for the UEFA Europa League, starting from the preliminary round. The winner of the national cup qualifies directly for the group stage. Portuguese clubs’ participation in European competitions is therefore quite constant, although an international title has been missing for some time.
Finally, two direct relegations are foreseen. As in many other leagues, you can also bet on the transfer market, related to the summer and winter transfer windows, which involve players, coaches, and executives.
The most prestigious Portuguese teams
If there’s one thing you can’t say about the Portuguese league, it’s that there’s a lot of variety among the winners. Since the introduction of the round-robin format, only 5 clubs — all based in Lisbon or Porto — have won at least one title. In particular, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Porto have won 84 out of 86 editions. Betting on one of these three clubs, among the most supported in the country, therefore offers a high probability of success.
| The most successful teams in the Primeira Liga | |||||
| Team | Logo | Titles won | City | Stadium | Year of foundation |
| Benfica | Benfica logo | 37 | Lisbon | Estádio Da Luz (66,147 seats) | 1904 |
| Porto | Porto logo | 29 | Porto | Estádio do Dragão (52,000 seats) | 1893 |
| Sporting Lisbon | Sporting Lisbon logo | 18 | Lisbon | Estádio José Alvalade (50,095 seats) | 1902 |
| Belenenses | Belenenses logo | 1 | Lisbon | Estádio do Restelo (19,856 seats) | 1919 |
| Boavista | Boavista logo | 1 | Porto | Estádio do Bessa Século XXI (28,263 seats) | 1903 |
The great performances of Portugal’s top teams
It’s clear that the Primeira Liga is dominated by a small group of clubs. For this reason, to place informed bets on the competition, it’s useful to know some of the most significant records achieved over the years. Here are the main ones:
- A hard team to beat: during the 1976/77 and 1977/78 seasons, Benfica set the all-time unbeaten record in the Primeira Liga with 56 consecutive matches without defeat.
- The record for consecutive titles: Porto won five league titles in a row between 1994 and 1999, a record in the history of the competition.
- Season points record: in the 2015/16 season, Benfica collected 88 points, a record later matched by Porto in 2017/18.
- The Quadruple: on two occasions, the last in 2010/11, Porto won four trophies in a single season: league, national cup, super cup, and Europa League.
- The all-time top scorer in Primeira Liga history: Fernando Peyroteo of Sporting Lisbon scored 331 goals in 197 appearances between 1937 and 1949.
Primeira Liga bookmakers and the different markets
In the following paragraphs we’ll explore the betting offers from the main bookmakers on the Primeira Liga: we will see the most popular types of bets, both pre-match and outright, along with some statistics from the most recent season. The various types of football bets are discussed in another section of the portal.
Single match bets
Imagine the upcoming week features a clash between Benfica and Porto: how can you resist the temptation to place a bet on this top match? In addition to classic outcomes like Match Winner, Both Teams to Score, you can choose from over one hundred different markets, a number in line with those offered for other major European leagues.
Portuguese league and the 1X2 market
The analysis of the percentage of home wins, away wins, and draws says a lot about teams’ tactical approach. In the 2019/20 season, the Primeira Liga showed a clear trend towards home wins. Home victories exceeded 40%, but it’s also worth noting the 33.01% of away wins, a significant figure on a European level.
1
Home team win
In the 2019/20 season, there were 126 home wins, equivalent to 41.18% of the total.
X
Draw
There were 79 draws, representing 25.81% of the results.
2
Away team win
Away wins totaled 101, equal to 33.01%: a rather high figure compared to other leagues.
The figures for the Both Teams to Score market
Both Teams to Score
- Yes: 49.02%
- No: 50.98%
The Both Teams to Score market, which requires predicting whether both teams will score, was very balanced in the 2019/20 Primeira Liga. “No” prevailed slightly, with nearly 51%, suggesting a league where defenses often came out on top, despite the offensive reputation of many teams.
Statistics for the Under/Over market
Under/Over
- Under 2.5: 55.88%
- Over 2.5: 44.12%
In 55.88% of cases, Portuguese league matches in 2019/20 ended with fewer than 3 total goals. The “Under” outcome clearly dominated, confirming a certain tactical discipline from teams, in contrast with the idea of a constantly spectacular league.
Betting on the Primeira Liga with outright markets
The main international bookmakers offer the possibility of betting with outright markets on the Primeira Liga, meaning before the season begins or during it, on outcomes such as the league winner, relegations, or top scorer. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting markets.
League winner market
Sporting, Benfica or Porto? Guessing who will win the Primeira Liga is a challenge that often comes down to choosing among these three historically dominant clubs. Surprises are rare, so the odds for these teams are not very high, but the battle remains exciting. In the 2019/20 season, the title was won by Porto, with 82 points.
The silver medal
Betting on who will take second place is another option offered in outright markets. Again, one of the “magnificent three” often occupies this position, with possible outsiders like Braga or Boavista. In 2019/20, second place went to Benfica, who finished 5 points behind Porto.
The relegation market
Typically, three teams are relegated to the second division. Betting on this market means predicting which teams will finish at the bottom of the standings. In the 2019/20 season, Desportivo Aves and Vitória Setúbal were relegated: the former due to sporting results, the latter for administrative reasons.
Who will be top scorer?
The top scorer title is always highly coveted. In the 2019/20 season, three players shared the lead with 18 goals each: Carlos Vinicius and Pizzi (Benfica), and Mehdi Taremi (Rio Ave). An interesting market for those who know the league’s strikers well.
How to find the best bookmaker for the Primeira Liga
In the following paragraphs, we will explain the criteria used to select the five Primeira Liga bookmakers that make up our list of the best. The four criteria listed below were fundamental to our selection.
The criteria we used to choose the best bookmakers:
- The competitive level of payouts and odds.
- The presence of regular promotions on the Portuguese league.
- The quality of the live section and the availability of streaming.
- The number of markets available, including on the mobile app.
By clicking on the name corresponding to the criterion, you will be directed to the paragraph where it is discussed. Remember that it’s the harmonious combination of all four criteria that matters more than excellence in a single aspect.
The value of payouts
To understand the importance of payout, imagine betting on a match between Porto and Benfica: if bookmaker A offers a potential win of €80 and bookmaker B only €50, it’s clear that the first is more advantageous. The payout represents the percentage value of a potential win and is crucial when choosing a bookmaker for the Primeira Liga. In the table below you’ll find the minimum and maximum payout values of the operators in our Top 5. The most competitive is definitely MyStake.
Minimum and maximum payouts on the Primeira Liga
- MyStake: 92.7% – 94.0%
- Kingmaker: 91.5% – 93.5%
- Paripesa: 90.2% – 92.8%
- Weltbet: 89.9% – 92.0%
- Wazamba: 88.5% – 91.5%
Are there promotions on the Primeira Liga?
Not only during big matches like Sporting – Porto, but even for less popular games, it’s always an advantage to take advantage of specific promotions related to the Primeira Liga. Even though they’re not as frequent as for more prestigious tournaments like the Champions League, you can still find dedicated offers such as betting bonuses, enhanced odds, and free bets, provided by some international bookmakers during league matchdays.
Live betting and streaming
Betting in real time while watching a Primeira Liga match is one of the most appreciated options among fans. The best bookmakers with in-play betting offer numerous live markets, dynamic odds, live scores, and updated statistics, along with the possibility of watching the event via streaming. This combination makes the gaming experience more immersive, especially during the most awaited matches of the Portuguese championship.
Many markets to bet on
Whether you’re a fan of classic bets like “Match Winner” or prefer exploring more creative options like double chance, combo bet or alternative markets, the best Primeira Liga bookmakers offer over 60–70 types of bets even for less-followed matches. Moreover, most of these options are available both on desktop and mobile app, for a complete and flexible gaming experience.
The most important milestones in the history of the Portuguese league
The Primeira Liga boasts a long tradition: the first championship dates back to 1921, and since then it has witnessed the evolution of Portuguese football through decades of history, talent, and transformation. Legendary players like Eusébio and Cristiano Ronaldo have helped make it a respected stage in Europe. For a certain period, the Primeira Liga was even the fifth most important league in the UEFA ranking.
However, alongside sporting glory, there have also been controversial episodes. Starting in 2008, scandals involving match-fixing and corruption hit even the most renowned clubs, generating international media attention. Below is a brief timeline of the key moments that marked the history of the Primeira Liga in relation to the betting world.
The main milestones between Primeira Liga and betting
| Year | Event |
| 1921 | The first Portuguese national championship is played, won by Porto. The format was very different from the 18-team league introduced in 2014/15. |
| 2008 | Portugal faces its first major betting scandal: matches fixed at various levels. Boavista is relegated to Serie B, Porto penalized with 6 points. |
| 2011 | Despite controversies and scandals, in the 2011/12 season the Portuguese league reaches 5th place in the UEFA ranking, overtaking Ligue 1. |
| 2018 | New investigations into match-fixing attempts: Porto and Benfica involved. The “E-Toupeira” case uncovers new instances of corruption and match-fixing. |
Betting on the Primeira Liga with our tips
We’re approaching the end of our Primeira Liga betting overview. Before we conclude, we want to offer you some useful suggestions if you’re thinking about placing a bet on Portugal’s top league. Always start with a careful analysis of the statistics: the Primeira Liga is a competition where teams aim for victory but pay attention to defense. For this reason, markets like Both Teams to Score or Under/Over (perhaps limited to just one half) can offer excellent opportunities.
Always inform your choices: study data on teams, players, fitness, and fixtures. Evaluate odds carefully, look for interesting matches to build an accumulator or system bet, or try more advanced techniques like matched betting.
Bookmakers to avoid
To bet on the Primeira Liga, it’s important to rely on serious and trustworthy bookmakers that offer full coverage of the league. The first rule is to choose operators with proven solidity, international reputation, and transparency. Avoid unknown platforms or those with limited markets on Portuguese football, low odds, and poor availability of live stats and streaming features. Some new operators may not offer a quality experience for those looking for a complete product on this league.
FAQ
What are the best bookmakers for the Portuguese Primeira Liga?
After an in-depth analysis of the offer from major international operators, we’ve selected a Top 5 of the most competitive bookmakers for the Primeira Liga. These include MyStake, Kingmaker, Paripesa, Weltbet, and Wazamba, known for their excellent market variety, high odds, and dedicated bonuses.
Is it possible to place outright bets on the teams qualifying for the Champions League?
At the moment this market is not always available, but some bookmakers may introduce it during the season. We recommend checking the outright sections of operators to verify the availability of these options.
Can I place bets on the Taça de Portugal?
It depends on the depth of the schedule offered by each bookmaker. Some operators also include bets on the Portuguese national cup, as well as on the second and sometimes even third division. The most common options are outright or selected match bets.
How much can you win by betting on the Primeira Liga?
Winnings depend on the value of the odds and the payout applied by the bookmaker. Our analysis has shown that the best operators offer payouts on the Primeira Liga up to 94%, which makes betting on the Portuguese league potentially very rewarding for users.
