Benfica, Porto or Sporting: Who Has the Best Attack?
Portugal’s three giants enter 2026/27 with very different attacking weapons. Sporting CP has the numbers, Benfica has added firepower and FC Porto has already found a new scoring option.
The battle between Benfica, FC Porto and Sporting CP will once again define the Liga Portugal title race. While all three have enough attacking talent to dominate most opponents, their forward lines offer different strengths. Based on last season’s production and the changes made this summer, one enters 2026/27 with a slight advantage
Sporting has the strongest starting point
The numbers from 2025/26 make Sporting CP’s case difficult to ignore. The Lions scored 89 league goals, comfortably more than Benfica’s 74 and champion FC Porto’s 66.
Colombian striker Luis Suárez remains the reference point in attack, but Rui Borges has considerable depth around him. Pedro Gonçalves, Geny Catamo, Maxi Araújo, Fotis Ioannidis and Luís Guilherme provide different options, while the arrival of Rodrigo Zalazar has added another major source of creativity and goals.
The Uruguayan needed only one league match to demonstrate that potential. Against Estrela da Amadora, Zalazar scored on his official debut and then assisted Ioannidis for the second goal in a 2-2 draw.
Benfica has the highest offensive ceiling
If there is one team capable of overtaking Sporting CP, it may be Benfica. Vangelis Pavlidis remains a central piece of the attack, while Gianluca Prestianni, Rafa and Bruma give new coach Marco Silva multiple ways to build his forward line.
The major addition is Jhon Durán. The Colombian joined on loan from Al-Nassr and immediately scored on his official debut as Benfica beat Hearts 6-1 in Europa League qualifying. Jakub Kamiński provides another option from wide areas.
There have already been encouraging signs in the league as well: Pavlidis and Prestianni scored in the opening 2-2 draw against Académico de Viseu.
Porto combines talent with balance
FC Porto scored fewer league goals than its two rivals last season, but that did not prevent Francesco Farioli’s team from becoming champion. Now the Dragons have added another proven finisher.
André Silva marked his league return by scoring a penalty in the 2-0 opening victory against FC Alverca and earning the match MVP award. Around him, Rodrigo Mora, Borja Sainz, Pepê and Gabri Veiga give Farioli several ways to create chances.
Who has the best attack?
Right now, the answer is Sporting CP. Last season’s 89 goals provide the strongest evidence, and Zalazar’s arrival has added another dimension.
But the margin is narrow. Benfica’s addition of Durán could significantly change the equation, while Porto may not need to outscore both Lisbon clubs to defend its title. On pure attacking potential, however, Sporting CP starts 2026/27 as the team to beat.
