Starting on Friday afternoon at 4.00pm BST, the 46-year-old Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 driver is part of a tantalising three-way, winner-takes-all decider just south of Figueira da Foz.
For Meeke, the mathematics going into the Tarmac fixture are pretty straightforward: finish top of the leaderboard and he successfully retains his crown alongside co-driver Stuart Loudon.
I know that the GR Yaris Rally2 is very well suited to this type of stage.
Despite having won five times in 2025, the Dungannon man relinquished his advantage in the standings to local driver Armindo Araujo following September’s penultimate round, Rali da Agua.
Currently, Araujo enjoys a 10 point lead over the former World Rally Championship ace, with Spain’s Dani Sordo occupying third position — just a single point in arrears of Meeke, who lost one victory to a time penalty and another to suspension issues that meant he could not make the journey back to the Matosinhos finish of Rally de Portugal.
He had a forgettable showing at Rali da Agua — which ended in an off — and handed Araujo and Sordo a way back into the title contest. However, he is remaining positive, especially as he triumphed at the reverse fixture 12 months ago, albeit in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car.
“After the problems we had in the Rally Agua, everything will be decided in the last rally,” explained Meeke.
“That’s how the Portuguese Rally Championship works, with eight races and one score to discard — it leaves no room for inconsistencies.
“We had two rallies where things did not go as planned, but in all the others we showed our true pace, and the speed that was needed to go and fight for the victory, which we did.
“I remain confident. In all the races this year, we were among the fastest and led most of the special stages. I know that the GR Yaris Rally2 is very well suited to this type of stage — but as we all know, anything can happen in this sport. It’s not easy to predict.
“The key for me will be to have a clean and consistent weekend and if we can do that, I believe everything will go well for us. Now it is time for us and everyone in the team to focus, to make sure we prepare the car well, and fight until the end. We will give it our all.”