As we edge closer to kick-off at St James’ Park tonight, it’s time to predict who Eddie Howe will select to take on Jose Mourinho’s Benfica tonight.
Newcastle must bounce back from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton, while it’s a big game for the Portuguese giants, who have lost both of their opening Champions League games so far, falling short against Qarabag and Chelsea.
Here is the side we’re backing Howe to go with come 8pm and why:
Predicted line-up
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We think there’ll be at least one change, with a second to come if Sandro Tonali isn’t well enough to make it.
**(4-3-3)**: _Pope – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon._
He was superb in our last Champions League game at Union SG, giving Howe a potential dilemma here, but back to back stinkers in the league for Anthony Elanga means Jacob Murphy is likely to start this one down the right.
Murphy offered much more in that second half against Brighton and will be desperate to come into Howe’s European XI for the first time this season.
In midfield, the second dilemma could centre around Joelinton, who was hooked at the break on Saturday after looking way off it. There are calls for Jacob Ramsey to take his spot on that left side, but I think Howe will stick by big Joe, providing he’s fully over that injury niggle he picked up while away with Brazil.
As for Tonali, who missed training on Monday due to illness, it will almost certainly be Lewis Miley that takes his spot in midfield should the Italian miss out, giving us a nervous wait to see if he’ll recover in time.
I back Anthony Gordon to start again on the left after two goals in our last Champions League win, but he has to step up after two poor showings since then to support Nick Woltemade, who will be looking to make it five in five.
How do you see us lining up tonight? Let us know in the comments section below…