Newcastle v Benfica – Europa League match preview

United v Benfica
United v Benfica
Newcastle attempt to overcome a 3-1 defecit tomorrow night when Benfica visit St James’ Park.

Defeat in the first leg means that progression to the Semi-Final will be a tough ask, but by the same token it’s not out of the question thanks to Papiss Cisse’s away goal in Lisbon last week.

In fact I witnessed enough last week to know that we’ll create chances against the Portuguese league leaders, although I also witnessed the fact that they look good in attack and are likely to create chances of their own. It’s sounds simple, but all we need to do is take our chances whilst preventing them from taking the ones they create. See, it’s dead easy when you think about it!

Newcastle:

As we’ve now become accustomed to, Yoan Gouffran and Mathieu Debuchy will be sitting this one out due to being ineligible to play for us in this competition. Fabricio Coloccini is close to a return and although unlikely to be risked in this game couls be available for the trip to West Brom in ten days time.

Massadio Haidara’s return to fitness is a timely boost now it looks like we’ll be missing Davide Santon for the remainder of the season. Santon will join Haris Vuckic and Ryan Taylor on the treatment table although the latter is closing in on a return and could feature before the end of the season.

Cheik Tiote could return after a muscle injury whilst Hatem Ben Arfa is also in contention to make an appearance after a surprise return to fitness although I get the distinct impression that it will only be a matter of time before he breaks down again. Steven Taylor is doubtful after picking up a knock in training.

Previously…

Obviously we lost the first leg 3-1 last week in what was out first competitive fixture against Benfica. However we’ve never lost against Portuguese opposition on home soil which covers six visits of Portuguese sides to St James’ Park.

1968/69 – Sporting Lisbon – W 1-0
1968/69 – Vitoria Setubal – W 5-1
1969/70 – Porto – W 1-0
2004/05 – Sporting Lisbon – D 1-1
2004/05 – Sporting Lisbon – W 1-0
2012/13 – Maritimo – D 1-1

Stats and facts:

Mike Williamson could make his 100th appearance for United.

United are unbeaten in the last 13 home European fixtures. If you discount the Intertoto Cup that run extends to 24 matches.

A fifth home win on the bounce will be the first time we’ve managed that since the days of Sir Bobby Robson.

Final thought…

It’s officially a a sell out and our backs are against the wall so expect the fans to act like the 12th man from the off and get right behind the team as they look to overturn that first leg deficit.

However it won’t be easy. Benfica are now unbeaten in 30 games in a run which stretches back to the tail end of last season. They’ve also scored well over 100 goals already this term and keeping them from adding to their already impressive goals tally will be key if we are to progress to the Semi-Final.

But at the other end we need to be smart. We created decent chance at Estadio da Luz last week but wasted them through a combination of poor finishing and poor luck. We can’t afford to be so wasteful this time around as, even though the Benfica defence looked ropey, they can now afford to sit back and concentrate a bit more on the defensive side of things.

It’s intriguing. I know we can do it, no matter how against the odds it may be, and if we do it surely has to go down as one of our best results in recent times?

Howay the lads!

Date: Thursday, 11th April, 2013

Time: 8:05pm – Live on ITV4

Venue: St James’ Park

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

108 thoughts on “Newcastle v Benfica – Europa League match preview

  1. Its going to be a whole lot harder now that Steven Taylor has picked up a knee injury in training, still without Colo and Perch, that leaves Mike Williamson, not the best news eh

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  2. Toonsy .Got a good feeling reckon 2.0 to the Toon ,they are getatable imo ,saw enough last week to see that .If we take our chances and concentrate at the back ( no silly errors please lads ) we can win it . Win tommorow and I really think our names on the cup.

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  3. Let’s hope doubtful is all it is. We really need him for the next two games. The thought of Willo roaming around again gives me the shivers.

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  4. Since last week’s result have felt optimistic about this game for some inexplicable reason. Not good news if Saylor’s out, but lets hope it’s a smoke screen.Agree Toonsy the crowd could make a big difference tomorrow. We need to get at them quickly like last week and not let them settle. I worry about us sitting back and soaking up pressure at the best of times let alone if we are depending on Willo (shiver).

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  5. Georgio-not sure, but i would play him as a CB ahead of willo esp given benficas technical ability.

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  6. Georgio, Perch is back apparently.

    Guess that means the same starting XI as Fulham, but with Perch/Willo in place of Saylor.

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  7. And no Santon. Not really the same team then. Suddenly there’s a bit of a selection crisis…

    Krul
    Simpson, M’Biwa, Willo, Haidara
    Perch, Cabaye
    Marveaux, Sissoko, Jonas
    Cisse

    Would love to play Perch at CB and Jonas DM, but then we’d have to play Obertan. If only we had some strength in depth in wide areas!!!

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  8. Reckon Jonas at LB and bring on Haidara later as a sub ,Don’t wanna see him buggered up for Scum game cause he played too long when only just back. Looks like Willo will likely play Cb ,hopefully he still gives a *$%@ after being called the ‘ other guy’ 😳 . If Benny gets played I hope it’s not for too long as we need him for the run in. Hopefully we can wrap things up and not need to use him ,I still think he’ll need an op at some point .

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  9. I’m not as confident for this game as some…we were so unlucky not to put it to bed last time around however so I suppose we still have a chance. I just think they will grab a goal and that will make it too much for us. Would love to get through though.

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  10. Quite a tough one for us without Colo and probably Saylor. I have no real faith in Willo without a more experienced partner especially. They are a very good attacking team with some weaknesses on defence so they will probably score one and win the tie sad to say. On the bright side Jonas seems to be definitely coming back into form. What are the chances Ben Arfa will get some playing time I wonder? Good to get Haidara back as well with Santon out now. Benfica is a slick passing side with several decent goal scorers. I’m more concerned about the Sunderland game if Saylor remains out. They are fighting for their lives now so I expect a very physical match there.

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  11. GeordieTwo, Tiote and Debuchy are back in training apparently, so hopefully we can get them up to speed for Sunday. That’d definitely help.

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  12. Can’t see it happening without Taylor. Any stat geniuses out there know the clean sheets with or without Tayls the past 2 seasons out of interest?

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  13. I had high hopes but with Saylor and Santon im not so sure, we might be able to cover for Santo IF Haidara is back but for me Saylor is the big Worry, so I think i’ll wait to see the team sheet to call this one, 😥

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  14. Thanks for the new article Toonsy.

    My honest feeling on this one is that I’m confident we can get the 2 goals we need. But I’m not entirely sure we can keep them from scoring, hope I’m wrong like

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  15. I’m pretty neutral for the game as I feel we have it in us to get the 2-0 required but also know that should we concede a goal then there is very little chance of progressing.

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  16. I think Benfica pose more of a threat on the ground than in the air so personally I’d go with Perch at CB, so here’s my line up:

    —————— Krul —————–
    Simmo – Perch – MYM – Haidara
    ———- Cabaye – Jonas ———-
    — Campbell – Sissoko – Marv —
    —————- Cisse —————

    Failing that I’d consider moving Marv over to the right and putting Anita on the left of the 3.
    I would just feel better if Perch was CB instead of Willo as their CFs are very quick and Willo turns like a tank.

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  17. Isn’t Haidara able to play CB, seem to remember he could, then Jonas could fill in at LB.

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  18. To be honest I cannot really see us pulling off as they’re a very good side, but you just never know! This is NUFC after all.

    I think we’re well capable of winning the game but I cannot see us keeping them out unfortunately.

    Think maybe 2-1 with 10 minutes to go and a barnstorming last few minutes, maybe coming up a bit short or them hitting us on the break to make it 2-2. Or we could score and take it to extra time.

    Glad I am there and looking forward to a great atmosphere.

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  19. Stuart my feelings exactly, except I reckon we’ll score the two goals in the first half, optimism is high and then 87th minute the defence bollocks’ up and they score. Depending on the attitude of the players and the atmosphere of the ground we’ll then either break down and that’s how the score will finish OR with the crowd behind them they push on a sneak another goal making it go into extra time. No goals in extra time means it goes to penalties which depends on if Shola is on (on and we win them).

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  20. Stupid one direction, little ***** were hanging out with the players at Benton 😡 , right fonies that lot and what with some of the stuff that that Harry bloke gets up to its disgusting that little girls adore them.

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  21. Kim
    He’s bad news him, you don’t like to get involved with bad boys do you? 😐 😕 😆

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  22. Djebs9
    Good to see Benny back but his remarkable recovery seems a bit dubious, I would be reluctant to use him myself. Bring him on at half time to finish the game off tomorrow and the same on Sunday, certainly shouldn’t rush him into a full game at the pace that both will be at.

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  23. Andy ,abit long in the tooth to put up with the bad boys anymore ,put up with the one I wed for 16 years that was enough for me. 🙂

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  24. Andy – I may be being a little premature here, but is hanging out with a fucking boy band really the best way to prepare for a local derby with 3 massive points at stake.

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  25. dear andy…if hatem can play with one leg ❗ ❗ i put him on the pitch…because talent. .creativity or geniusy is better than fck…n chicken head player. ..like oberta gutiz or goufa….sorry but that my opinion…hatem looks very well since 2 week but not fit enough. ..thaTs all…today we need him..emergency !!hatem ben arfa give us massive hope 💡 … just dream for semi final and 10th place on the table…and A MASSIVE FUCKING GOAL ! ON MACKEMS FACES! !!!!!! TAKE IT EASY MY FREND. ..TRUST THE TOON POWER! !!! …. 😈

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  26. Sharpy-There’s many on here that wouldn’t let you get away with using the terms premature and boyband in the same sentence. Dodgy folks like Aussie and Richie would probably take the mick…

    I agree with you though, why exactly are we letting these c*nts swan around at training and have their pics taken with dreamboat ryan taylor? Unless they are funding a new signing with their undeserved millions they can **** off down the road and find the real circus. Huge europa game followed by a derby! FFS lads.

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  27. Should be able to score a couple against these guys. They come from Portugal ffs. Portugal? Where the hell’s that? 3rd world innit? 😉

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  28. Sharpy
    Don’t think many 1st teamers were hanging out with them but the coaches were, I don’t approve 😕 .
    Djebs9
    I’m not of the same opinion mate, as much as I love to see the magic he produces I’d rather we saw it for 6 games and the start of next season than see him bust a gut (and hamstring) in one meaning we can’t play him for a few more months.
    Dave
    I can’t be held responsible for the effect my words have 😉 😆

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  29. With our goal deficit, it should allow us to play with out fear. We can attack without worrying about protecting a slender first leg lead. I hope we go all out for the win and run amok 🙂 🙂 🙂

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  30. they will beat us again at home. Pardew should shut his mouth as he puts pressure on himself. He is not realistic, a fantasist who believes in his own prowess.

    He insulted Benfica by stating they would be a top 8 to 10 side in England and yet beat us comfortably 3-1. In other words in Pardew’s own words he cannot beat a top 8-10 side in England.

    We are only capable just about capable of scoring 1 goal a game and even then so painfully late.

    If in his opinion we can beat Benfica on equal terms let alone with a 2 goal deficit, what the hell has he been doing all season. One should ask, from his comments that we have a team capable of being in the top 8 let alone top 10. Why are we 13 barely able to beat Fulham?

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  31. A lot will depend on who is at CB ,I don’t hold out too much hope if it’s Willo ,but hey ho he may prove us wrong and have a cracker of a game ,lets hope so as nothing would please me more. On Benny ,we need some brilliance from him but not for the whole game it’s too risky imo. We have to believe home advantage will go a long way and the capacity crowd will be the 12th man too. No point in being nervous it’s counter productive and our league position is not at stake in this game so they may as well go for it .

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  32. Michael 12 – What is Pardew supposed to say at a press conference???
    He is talking the game up and trying to build a bit of morale within the fan base and team.. you may need to stop taking things so literally, it is just pre-game banter, not question time in Parliament.. 😕

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  33. Well said, AMF. To be fair also, Pards didn’t *actually* say they’d be an 8th-10th team, he said ‘top 8 or 10’.

    I don’t think it’s unreasonable to claim that Benfica would be regularly challenging for the top 8 in England. That’d put them, currently, in the same strata as the Mancs, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Everton.

    Sounds about right to me.

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  34. if taylors out cant see us going through ,but also cant see us losing tonight

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  35. Toonsy stop sending dave love letters

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  36. iam fine dave thanks hows you mate

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  37. It has been announced that Thatchers corpse will be thrown down one of the pits she closed and a public toilet built on top of it charging £5 a dump.

    Funds raised are expected to clear the national debt by Friday lunchtime.

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  38. Batty as far as I know he is out, which I think will be a big loss. Maybe it wouldn’t have been just as bad if he was the only first choice missing from the back four, but sure Debs and Santon are out and I don’t think Haidara is ready yet

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  39. Tough game tonight. Realistically we prob will go out, and a run to the quarter finals has been a decent achievement. However anything can happen. Look at Dortmund the other night. Dead and buried by the looks of it going into stoppage time. So maybe we can do it. An early goal would be a.massive game changer. Come on the toon

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  40. MICHAEL12
    April 11, 2013 at 09:02

    I do hope you’re not going tonight – if you ever go to any games at all that is.

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  41. Think the XI kind of picks itself tonight with a lot of injuries forcing players to fill spots but I will be intrigued as to who is on the bench tonight, will Campbell be, will Bigi be or Gosling.

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  42. why not just play 3 at the back…2 up..

    ………………………………… Krul…………………………….
    …………….Simspon…….Mwbai…….Jonas………….
    ………………………….Perch…….Anita…………………
    ………….Sissoko…………cabaye………marveaux…
    ………………………Campbell……Cisse…………………

    benny can come on when campbell gets knackered, Campbell might just break clear. Not sure if cabaye is fit and Marveaux was knackered at the end of Sunday, so Gosling/bigi might be needed in there too at some point. Even Shola if we are that short. Is hairdara fit ?

    they didn’t really use wingers in the first leg so not worried about just 3 at the back. all through the middle.

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  43. Given that Taylor & Santon were responsible for the 2 goal deficit last week maybe we shouldn’t be too disappointed they’re missing from this one?

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  44. bench

    shola
    benny
    obertan
    bigi
    gosling
    elliott
    williamson

    out
    collocini
    taylor s
    debuchy
    santon
    haidara
    tiote

    have I missed anybody ?

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  45. So goal line technology to be introduced then at a cost of £250,000 a club, PL chairman all in agreement . About time bloody Dinosaurs should of done it yonks ago.

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