Prediction: Newcastle United to win
Best Odds: 29/50
Newcastle United and Benfica will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Champions League this week. The League Stage game between the Premier League club and the Primeira Liga outfit will be held at St. James’ Park and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Tuesday.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United are one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and are hugely ambitious as well. The Magpies finished in the top five of the Premier League table last season and also won the Carabao Cup.
Eddie Howe’s side, though, have not made a strong start to the new campaign. Newcastle are as low as 14th in the Premier League table with just nine points from eight matches, only four points above the relegation zone.
Newcastle will head into the UEFA Champions League game against Benfica on the back of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League last weekend, which followed a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at St. James’ Park in the league. Newcastle have won one of their two UEFA Champions League games so far this campaign.
Team News:
Newcastle United are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Fulham. Nick Pope will be in goal for the Magpies. Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Dan Burn will be the four defenders. Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton will be the three midfielders. Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon will be the three forwards.
Benfica
Benfica are one of the biggest clubs in Portugal and Europe and are aiming to make a strong impact in the UEFA Champions League. The Portuguese giants will be keen on making it through the League Stage.
The Portuguese giants are under the management of Jose Mourinho, who will be keen on leading Benfica to their first UEFA Champions League win of the season. Ahead of the match, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe raves about Mourinho.
Howe said about Mourinho: “He is someone I hugely admire, having come up against him before in the Premier League. As a younger coach, I really admired the teams he built at Chelsea, in particular.
“He is definitely a visionary – someone that broke the mould in terms of how you manage and the different ways to do things, and then following his success through different clubs, leagues. Incredible, really, what he’s achieved in his career.
“It’s always a great opportunity for any club to go up against one of his teams. I’m looking forward to the challenge immensely and I think it’s going to be a great game.”
Benfica will head into the UEFA Champions League game against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park this week on the back of a 2-0 victory over GD Chaves away from home in Taca de Portugal. It came after a goalless draw with FC Porto on the road in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, which followed a 1-0 loss to Chelsea st Stamford Bridge in London in the UEFA Champions League.
Team News:
Benfica are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Newcastle United. Samuel Soares will be in goal for the Portuguese giants. Amar Dedic, Tomas Araujo, Antonio Silva and Samuel Dahl will be the four defenders. Fredrik Aursnes, Enzo Barrenechea and Georgiy Sudakov will be the three midfielders. Dodi Lukebakio, Vangelis Pavlidis and Joao Rego will be the three forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- Newcastle United have won 3 of their last 5 games in all competitions.
- Newcastle United have lost 2 of their last 5 games in all competitions.
- Newcastle United have scored 12 goals in their last 5 games.
- Benfica have scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Benfica have won 2 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
Conclusion
Benfica have a strong team and will fancy their chances of picking up all three points at St. James’ Park from the UEFA Champions League. However, playing at home will give Newcastle United an advantage, and it is very likely that Eddie Howe’s side will eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Newcastle United to win
Best Odds: 29/50
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