Match Preview for Newcastle v Benfica
Newcastle return to Champions League motion this week once they host Benfica at St James’ Park on Tuesday night time.
The Magpies cruised to a 4-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise final day out and can now look to make it back-to-back wins towards a Benfica facet nonetheless trying to find their first factors of the marketing campaign
Newcastle earned their place within the Champions League after ending fifth within the Premier League final season, however their return to the competitors started with a tough check towards Barcelona.
Regardless of a spirited efficiency, they fell to a 2-1 defeat on matchday one, with Anthony Gordon’s purpose not sufficient to cancel out Marcus Rashford’s brace for the guests.
Eddie Howe’s males responded in type in Brussels, nonetheless, dismantling Union SG 4-0 to get their European marketing campaign again on observe and increase their hopes of progressing from the league section.
With upcoming fixtures towards robust opponents together with Athletic Membership, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle might be desperate to safe one other three factors on residence soil and strengthen their place within the standings.
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton within the Premier League halted a brief profitable run, however Newcastle stay assured at St James’ Park, the place their excessive depth and attacking high quality usually show an excessive amount of for visiting sides.
Benfica, in the meantime, claimed a snug 2-0 win over Chaves within the Taca de Portugal on the weekend, due to a purpose in every half from Vangelis Pavlidis. The victory ended a quick winless run and gave Jose Mourinho a well timed confidence increase forward of his facet’s journey to England.
Since taking cost in September, Mourinho has overseen three wins in six matches throughout all competitions, however Benfica’s European marketing campaign has began poorly. The Portuguese facet fell 3-2 at residence to Qarabag on matchday one earlier than struggling a slim 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, leaving them backside of the league section standings.

Really useful supply
Bet365 Dwell Streaming
#AD 18+. Geo-restrictions apply, Will need to have a funded account or positioned a wager within the final 24 hours. Watch your favourite sports activities on cell, pill & desktop. Solely accessible to eligible prospects. Dwell Streaming guidelines apply. BeGambleAware. Registration required. GambleAware.org
T&C’s apply.
Staff information for Newcastle v Benfica
Newcastle are nonetheless with out a number of key defenders, with Tino Livramento sidelined for round two months as a consequence of a knee harm and Lewis Corridor persevering with his restoration from a hamstring drawback.
Dan Burn is more likely to proceed at left-back, whereas Kieran Trippier operates on the proper facet of defence. Fabian Schar may return to the beginning lineup after lacking out towards Brighton, doubtlessly changing Malick Thiaw alongside Sven Botman.
Yoane Wissa stays unavailable as he recovers from a knee harm, however Nick Woltemade is predicted to begin once more after scoring an outstanding purpose on the weekend. Gordon, who netted twice towards Union SG, ought to proceed in assault.
Joelinton is being monitored after being withdrawn at half-time on Saturday, with Lewis Miley pushing for a beginning function following a formidable substitute efficiency.
Benfica, in the meantime, are with out Alexander Bah, Manu Silva and Bruma as a consequence of long-term accidents. Mourinho made a number of adjustments within the Taca de Portugal win, however key gamers are anticipated to return for this fixture.
Anatoliy Trubin will come again in purpose, with Nicolas Otamendi and Antonio Silva resuming their centre-back partnership. Richard Rios and Fredrik Aursnes are additionally set to begin in midfield, whereas Pavlidis continues to steer the road after scoring 4 targets in his final 4 appearances.
Anticipated line-ups for Newcastle v Benfica
Newcastle: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Miley, Tonali, Guimaraes; Gordon, Woltemade, Murphy
Benfica: Trubin; Dedic, A Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Barrenechea, Rios; Aursnes, Sudakov, Lukebakio; Pavlidis
How one can watch Newcastle v Benfica: TV channel, on-line stream
Newcastle v Benfica might be broadcast dwell within the UK on TNT Sports activities 2, with protection starting at 7pm BST. The match can be streamed dwell by the invention+ app or web site.
Kick-off at St James’ Park is scheduled for 8pm.
The stats for Newcastle United v Benfica
- Newcastle have scored 4 targets of their final Champions League match and are unbeaten of their earlier three European residence fixtures
- Benfica have misplaced their final 4 Champions League matches
- Anthony Gordon has scored three targets on this season’s competitors, greater than another Newcastle participant
- Benfica have received simply certainly one of their final 9 away video games in England in European competitions
- Newcastle want to win consecutive matches within the Champions League for the primary time since 2003
Prediction
Newcastle’s residence benefit and attacking momentum ought to give them the sting, even towards an skilled Benfica facet led by Mourinho.
The guests are more likely to trigger issues, however their poor away document in Europe could proceed because the Magpies look to safe one other priceless three factors.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Benfica