Newcastle United meet Benfica in a huge league phase clash in 2025-26 UEFA Champions League.
Victory could lift Newcastle into the top ten depending on results elsewhere, whilst Benfica can climb into the knockout play-off spots with a win.
Team News
Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-1 Premier League defeat at Brighton.
Harrison Ashby (thigh), Lewis Hall (hamstring), Tino Livramento and Yoane Wissa (both knee) remain absent.
Benfica too have no fresh injury concerns to report after their Taca de Portugal victory at Chaves.
Bruma (Achilles), Alexander Bah and Manu Silva (cruciate ligament) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Benfica at St James’ Park on Tuesday 21 October at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Newcastle’s first meeting against Benfica in the Champions League, but are winless against the Portuguese club in all UEFA competitions (D1, L1).
- Benfica drew 1-1 on their previous trip to Newcastle in April 2013 in the second leg of their Quarter-Final tie in that season’s Europa League.
- Newcastle are yet to keep a clean sheet against Benfica in all UEFA competitions.
- Three of Newcastle’s five goals in the league phase has been scored by Anthony Gordon.
- Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho have won just three of his 12 previous visits to Newcastle in all competitions (W3, D4, L5).
Prediction
Although Nick Woltemade has already established himself as the perfect replacement for Alexander Isak, Newcastle’s biggest issue seems to lie in providing him with the right service when tactically isolated, which showed in their defeat at Brighton amidst some sloppy defensive marking.
Benfica meanwhile are yet to get off the mark in the league phase although they were marginally the better team at Chelsea before the international break, yet a lack of clinical finishing cost them so a more polished display is needed if they’re to claim a first win in this stage.
I however do feel like they will be both be evenly matched as neither defence has looked solid at times this season, so a draw might be a fair call.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Benfica
Result: Newcastle 3-0 Benfica