Newcastle welcome José Mourinho’s Benfica to St. James’ Park on this UEFA Champions League (UCL) conflict, trying to lastly discover the sort of consistency that’s been lacking from their marketing campaign thus far.
Softfootball reported Eddie Howe’s males bounced again from that 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on matchday one with an emphatic 4-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise, however as soon as once more they’re looking for a response after dropping 2-1 to Brighton within the Premier League on Saturday. It’s been a wierd sample for the Magpies, up one week, down the subsequent, as they’ve but to sew collectively two straight victories this time period. In actual fact, Newcastle haven’t received consecutive UCL video games since February 2003.
Doing so now may not come straightforward, contemplating their tendency to fluctuate at house. Their 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest means they’ve alternated between wins and losses in all six of their house fixtures this season (W3, L3).
Benfica’s Type and Mourinho’s Job
Benfica aren’t precisely flying both. The Portuguese giants have managed simply two wins from their final 5 matches (D2, L1) and opened their UCL league-phase marketing campaign with a slim 1-0 loss to Chelsea and a 3-2 loss to Qarabag
Nonetheless, with José Mourinho within the dugout, a person who is aware of English soccer inside out, there’s at all times that sense something can occur. Friday’s 2-0 away win in opposition to Chaves ought to no less than increase confidence a bit for the two-time European Cup winners. But, the numbers don’t lie: Benfica have misplaced their final two UCL correct away fixtures, and their away type in England isn’t nice both.
Head-to-Head Stats
Benfica are unbeaten in each earlier conferences with Newcastle (W1, D1), having come out on high through the Europa League quarter-final again in 2012/13. Nonetheless, the Eagles have received simply as soon as of their final 9 European away journeys to English sides (D3, L5).
For Newcastle, Portuguese opposition hasn’t been form; they’re winless of their final 5 video games in opposition to groups from Portugal (D3, L2), However supervisor Eddie howe has come out to say in a submit made by the group by way of X that his group loves the large Champions league sport and so they wont be section by their previous achievements.
He stated:
We love these video games. The Barcelona sport right here was so shut for us and it may have been a really totally different final result. We’ve been in that place so much this season the place the outcomes may have gone both approach. We’ve been very aggressive, we have been aggressive that night time and this has an identical really feel below the lights right here. The environment might be electrical, I’ve little doubt. I hope our efficiency mirrors that crowd power.
Staff Information
Newcastle:
Lewis Corridor (hamstring), Tino Livramento (knee), and Yoane Wissa (knee) are all sidelined, whereas Joelinton may return after going off at half-time in opposition to Brighton.
Benfica:
Mourinho will once more be with out Alexander Bah, Bruma, and Nuno Félix via damage, however the likes of Vangelis Pavlidis and Dodi Lukebakio can be found and in robust type.
Doable Lineups
Newcastle (4-3-3):
Nick Pope (GK), Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Daniel Burn, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Jacob Murphy, Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon.
Benfica (4-2-3-1):
Anatoliy Trubin (GK), Amar Dedic, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Samuel Dahl, Richard Rios, Enzo Barrenechea, Dodi Lukebakio, Fredrik Aursnes, Georgiy Sudakov, Vangelis Pavlidis.
Key Stats
4 of Newcastle’s final 5 video games produced over 2.5 objectives, the identical as every of their final three UCL outings. The Magpies have misplaced their final three UCL house video games by a single purpose margin; Benfica conceded precisely as soon as in three of their final 5 matches, and none of Benfica’s final 4 away fixtures noticed each groups rating.
Gamers to Watch:
Anthony Gordon is in red-hot type, scoring 3 times in Newcastle’s two UCL matches and as soon as for England through the break. Curiously, his final seven membership objectives got here after the fortieth minute. On the opposite facet, Vangelis Pavlidis has netted 4 in his final 4 for Benfica, with three of these coming earlier than the thirtieth minute.
This one feels tight. Benfica have the pedigree, Mourinho’s expertise, and Pavlidis’ sharpness up entrance, however Newcastle’s house crowd and attacking rhythm may simply tip the steadiness. Count on power, errors, and moments of insanity.
Prediction: Newcastle 2–1 Benfica
