Newcastle United v Benfica: Eddie Howe has a number of big decisions to make to his Newcastle United team when they face Benfica tonight.
Newcastle United look to put their disappointing defeat against Brighton behind them when they host Jose Mourinho’s Benfica tonight. The Magpies have won one and lost one of their two Champions League matches to date and will be desperate to make the most of their home games to seal progression to the knockout stages.
With just three days between their clash at the Amex Stadium and their match against Benfica, though, Eddie Howe doesn’t have too long to get any of his injured players back in action. There are also doubts over Sandro Tonali’s fitness heading into tonight’s game after the Italian missed training on Monday through illness.
Here, we take a look at the Newcastle United starting XI that Howe could name for his side’s clash against Benfica at St James’ Park. Do you agree with our picks? Follow us on our social media channels and our news WhatsApp channel and let us know your thoughts on our predicted XI there.
Newcastle United predicted XI v Benfica
GK: Nick Pope
Pope had secured back-to-back clean sheets before conceding twice to Danny Welbeck on Saturday. He will be desperate to register another tonight.
RB: Kieran Trippier
Trippier will continue at right-back against Benfica tonight. His experience will be crucial in all of their Champions League matches this season.
CB: Malick Thiaw
Thiaw has forged a good partnership with Sven Botman in recent weeks and Howe will be very reluctant to change that when they are both fit and playing well.
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CB: Sven Botman
Botman has been very good in recent weeks and looks at home in the Champions League.
LB: Dan Burn
Burn may again be asked to play out of position tonight. Lewis Hall’s absence means Burn seems to be Howe’s first-choice at full-back and will remain that way for the foreseeable future.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes
Guimaraes will lead his side out in a Champions League match at St James’ Park for the second time tonight. He will be hoping to match the result they secured in Belgium earlier this month.
CM: Sandro Tonali
Although Tonali missed training on Monday, Howe confirmed that the Italian hadn’t suffered an injury and that he may feature tonight. If there’s any chance of him playing he will almost certainly be named in the starting XI.
CM: Lewis Miley
Miley was one of Newcastle’s most impressive performers at the Amex Stadium on Saturday and may have done enough to earn himself a start in the Champions League.
RW: Anthony Elanga
Elanga will be desperate to register a goal in a Newcastle United shirt and whilst Jacob Murphy has done very little wrong this season, Elanga’s previous Champions League performances could give him the nod tonight.
ST: Nick Woltemade
Woltemade has starred this season and will undoubtedly start up-front against Mourinho’s side tonight.
LW: Anthony Gordon
Gordon is among the Champions League’s top scorers this season having scored in both of Newcastle United’s outings. Gordon will hope to add to his two penalties in Belgium and a late consolation against Barcelona tonight.
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