Newcastle vs Benfica Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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Newcastle United are seeking to rediscover some fluency and consistency as they welcome Jose Mourinho and his Benfica side to St James' Park this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Newcastle preview: Magpies need consistency
Newcastle come into this one on the back of a frustrating defeat at the weekend, upon their return from the October international break. The Magpies suffered a 2-1 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium down on the south coast in a game in which they had appeared to have stolen a draw and a point late on.
After what was a tumultuous summer, which concluded with a flurry of incomings and outgoings in the transfer market, Newcastle started slowly but had seemingly found some form before the break and that frustrating loss to the Seagulls up in Tyneside, with Eddie Howe still figuring things out in terms of the best way of playing with the evolving squad.
Benfica preview: Trying to be stubborn
At the start of this season, Benfica managed to defeat Fenerbahce in the playoffs of the UEFA Champions League but former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Bruno Lage was eventually sacked a month later after a woeful start to the campaign, with the Lisbon giants replacing him with legendary figure and former Porto coach Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho's start to life at Benfica hasn't started too well, with a defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge backing up a 3-2 loss at home to Qarabag in Baku in the UEFA Champions League. They did manage to defeat Chaves by two goals to nil at the weekend in the Taca da Liga, upon their return from the international break.
Newcastle team news: No Hall or Livramento
England international Lewis Hall is now sidelined alongside his compatriot and full-back Tino Livramento. Those two are sidelined alongside Democratic Republic of Congo international striker Yoane Wissa.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Unavailable: Hall (Injured), Livramento (Injured), Wissa (Injured)
Questionable:
Benfica team news: A few issues
Gianluca Prestianni is away at the FIFA U20 World Cup and Benfica also have key injury issues, albeit both Alexander Bah and Manu Silva have been projected to return in late-October.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, Otamendi, A. Silva, Dahl; Barrenechea, Rioja; Aursnes, Sudakov, Lukebakio; Pavlidis
Unavailable: Bruma (Injured), Prestianni (International duty)
Questionable: Bah (Injured), M. Silva (Injured)
Newcastle vs Benfica prediction
Jose Mourinho will believe he has a plan and will believe he can frustrate what is a frustrating Newcastle side on Tyneside. The Magpies will use the atmosphere to try and get themselves on the front foot and play with intensity that is unlikely to be matched by Benfica, nor something that they are overly used to and so Newcastle should come out on top - or at least avoid defeat against likely unambitious opposition.
Newcastle vs Benfica Tip: Double chance – Newcastle to win or draw
