The 2016–17 Primeira Liga (also known as Liga NOS for sponsorship reasons) was the 83rd season of the Primeira Liga, the top Portuguese professional league for association football clubs.
Benfica successfully defended their title, winning the league for a fourth consecutive season and record 36th time.
Teams
For the third consecutive season, the league was contested by a total of 18 teams, which included the best 16 sides from the 2015–16 season and two promoted from the 2015–16 LigaPro.
Porto B won the 2015–16 LigaPro title on 8 May 2016, but as the reserve team of Primeira Liga side Porto they were ineligible for promotion, which meant that the third-placed team would be promoted instead. On the same day, Chaves drew 1–1 with Portimonense to secure the return to the top flight of Portuguese football, 17 years after their last appearance in the 1998–99 season.[2] On the final matchday, Feirense secured the third place and last promotion slot after drawing 1–1 with Chaves; they return to the Primeira Liga four years after their last appearance in the 2011–12 season.[3]
The two promoted clubs replaced Académica and União da Madeira.[4] Académica confirmed their relegation on 7 May 2016 after a run of 14 consecutive seasons in the Primeira Liga, following a goalless draw against Braga. On the last matchday, União da Madeira's 2–1 defeat against Rio Ave also sealed their relegation, one season after having been promoted.[4]
Source: Liga Portugal Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head away goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Matches won; 7) Goals scored; 8) Play-off. (Note: The LPFP decided that only criteria 1, 5, 6 and 7 would be applied to establish the classification during the competition.)[58] (C) Champions; (R) Relegated Notes:
^ abSince Benfica won the 2016–17 Taça de Portugal, the spot awarded to the cup winner (Europa League group stage) was passed to the fourth-placed team and the spot originally meant for the fourth-placed team (Europa League third qualifying round) was given to the sixth-placed team.
^ abcEstoril is ahead of Chaves and Vitória de Setúbal on head-to-head points: Estoril 6 pts, Chaves 5 pts, Vitória de Setúbal 5 pts. Chaves is ahead of Vitória de Setúbal on head-to-head goal difference.
^ abPaços de Ferreira is ahead of Belenenses on head-to-head points: Paços de Ferreira 1–0 Belenenses, Belenenses 1–2 Paços de Ferreira.
^ abTondela is ahead of Arouca on overall goal difference.
Updated to match(es) played on 21 May 2017. Source: Liga Portugal Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.
^Although the match between Moreirense and Feirense was played in February, since the majority of the games from the 19th round were disputed on 28 January, Roberto's goal is included in January's ballot.
Annual awards
Player of the Season
The Player of the Season was awarded to Pizzi (Benfica)
Source: Liga Portugal Notes: 1: Played last season in LigaPro. 2: Tondela managed to get the highest season attendance of 4,987 spectators in two matches (against Sporting CP and Braga).
^"Oficial: Daniel Ramos no Marítimo" [Official: Daniel Ramos at Marítimo] (in Portuguese). MaisFutebol. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
^"Julio Velázquez deixa Belenenses" [Julio Velázquez leaves Belenenses] (in Portuguese). MaisFutebol. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.