Sporting 'grabbed' a slightly more comfortable cushion in the I League lead, last Saturday, by beating Benfica, in the derby in Alvalade (2-1), going from one to four points of advantage on the throne of the Portuguese championship six rounds before the 'closing of the curtain' of the competition - and that difference could still go up to seven points, with the delayed round, against Famalicão. The 'recipe' of 2020/21 is in sight.

Recalling everything that happened in the final stretch of all the editions of the 21st century, the trend is obvious. Whoever completes the 28th round (or 24th round when the championships had 30 rounds instead of the current 34) in the lead of the race, usually knows that they will celebrate at the end of the season.

The only exceptions happened in 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2017/18, and the most blatant was the middle one, since Benfica was the leader with, precisely, four points of advantage (64 to 60) over FC Porto, who still had time to react, ending up on the throne with 78 points - and the eagles in second, with 77. In that season, Jorge Jesus' team ended up losing the finals of the Europa League (against Chelsea) and the Portuguese Cup (against Vitória SC), after the unforgettable goal by Kelvin, in the Clássico (2-1) of Dragão, referring to the penultimate round, dictating the overtaking.

Kelvin needed only 13 minutes on the field to 'hurt' Jorge Jesus' team and thus put Vítor Pereira's team in the lead, entering the last round in 2012/13.© Reuters  

In 2011/12, Sporting de Braga followed with 58 points in the lead (one more compared to FC Porto's 57), and the blue and whites had time to finish the season with 75 points - followed by Benfica with 69 and the bracarenses with 62. Finally, in 2017/18, the eagles occupied the throne, with 71 points, but FC Porto (with 70) took the lead and ended with 88 points, against the 81 of their rival.

Sporting inspired by 2020/21?

Curiously, the last time they were crowned national champions (2020/21), Sporting entered the last six rounds with a four-point advantage over FC Porto (70 to 66) and still managed to slightly widen the 'gap' (85 against 80), so Rúben Amorim has already given proof of leadership management in a pressure situation. This time, having Benfica as a direct opponent, the difference could still grow to seven points in the calendar adjustment. 

Still in the 21st century, Sporting was crowned champion in 2001/02, having transformed a one-point advantage (63 to 62 for Boavista) six rounds before the 'closing of the curtain' into five points (75 against 70, also in relation to the checkered ones). Two seasons earlier, in 1999/2000, in the last season of the 20th century, the four-point difference (64 to 60 for FC Porto) remained unchanged at the end of the championship (77 against 73).

The data is out and there seems to be no doubt that Sporting is, in fact, very well positioned to win its 20th national championship title, although a negative result could, right away, 'shuffle' the accounts in the fight for the leadership of the I League.

Rúben Amorim wants to be national champion again for Sporting, before a probable departure to Liverpool, seeking inspiration from the 'recipe' of 2020/21.© Getty Images  

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