The New Year tends to bring out interesting feelings amongst us all, negative or positive. Currently in Portugal the historic balance of Portuguese Football has returned to the limelight. The top three of Benfica, Porto and Sporting have returned to contending European spots in Liga Sagres. Benfica currently sits in first in Liga Sagres after leap frogging Porto in their recent clash at the Estadio da Luz. Sporting now sits in second, which after what occurred last season is a massive step in the right direction for the green and whites. As for last year's champions Porto who are in third, can still potentially win the league this year too.

In light of current events the position Benfica holds currently in the league has to be considered appropriate. With the sudden death of Eusebio, which sent the entire nation of Portugal into mourning, Benfica after their clash with Porto emerged victorious and on top of the league. The Benfica faithful have had a particularly emotional week. The passing of Eusebio and usurping top spot in the league, even after several colleagues have been placing Jorge Jesus under the microscope. Benfica who also suffered crashing out of the Champions League will have their work cut out for them. Since they parachuted into the Europa League, they will definitely make an attempt for the Europa League. But the eagles would have to keep a watchful eye on their form in Liga Sagres if they wish to take back the league from Porto this year.

Another spectrum of Lisbon depicts a rather different picture than the last campaign. The green and white side, Sporting, last season endured and abysmal campaign. The club was going under with the wages they offered players, and the fees they purchased players at were at large figures, their pocket books began to diminish. This year's campaign Sporting fell back on their best possible asset, their stellar youth academy. The likes of William Carvalho, Andre Carrillo, Adrien Silva, and Wilson Eduardo, all which are products of the Sporting Lisbon academy, have more than out performed of what was expected of them. So much so that each player has attracted the eyes of many European clubs to the possibility of requisitioning their services. At this point last season, Sporting were perched middle of the totem pole ninth in the league. Today's run of form, position in the league and economic status has been more than evident of Sporting’s change of pace from last season's torrential disparity.

Then there was one, Porto, the club where Jose Mourinho got his career start as a manager, winning the champions league over Monaco in 2005. Today Porto has been enjoying success domestically in Portugal and have been a force to compete with in Europe. In Liga Sagres Porto have won the last three campaigns in a row. FC Porto even though being in third in the league, the difference between Porto in third and Benfica in first is three points. The league currently is still up for grabs by either one of the teams, and Porto would relish the opportunity to winning a fourth title in a row. Porto's dominance domestically not only has been evident on the table but also in the transfer market as well. During Porto's three-peat, the dragons were able to acquire Joao Moutinho from rivals Sporting Lisbon. Which before that moment in Portugal, selling a top quality player to a domestic rival was unheard of. Smart business during 2010 made Porto the large club they are today. Even with the departures of Hulk, Falcao, and Moutinho FC Porto still can still find talent with their acquisition of Jackson Martinez, who has been dubbed as the new Falcao.

The times of strife and hard times has somewhat subsided in the Portuguese Football economy. Sporting Lisbon has returned to their rightful position of contending for the Portuguese title and the taca do Portugal. Their current situation of not competing in Europe should work in the Lions benefit this campaign as not being a distraction away from their domestic goals. As for the eagles of Benfica, their current position in the league is strong and is a positive note, since they had an arid start to the current campaign. The loss of Champions League for both Benfica and Porto was a shock but they both were "parachuted" into the Europa League. Which will give both the eagles and dragons a chance for European success. At the possibility of expending their league ambitions, which Sporting will be hoping to occur.