By Tyne-Talk
April 3 2013

Newcastle United face Benfica tomorrow evening as the Europa League kicks off the quarter finals. The Portuguese side have won their last six games, scored twenty goals and conceded just four. Newcastle travel on the back of two wins, three defeats and a draw from their last six games, having scored four goals and conceded eight.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew could name Tim Krul and Davide Santon in the side after they both recovered from their respective injuries. Cheik Tiote (hamstring) and Massadio Haidara (knee) are both out, as are Fabricio Coloccini (back) and Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), whilst are Yoan Gouffran and Mathieu Debuchy who are both ineligible.

Newcastle, despite travelling to Manchester at the weekend, failed to put in a performance of any kind and lost 4-0. Regardless, Pardew is confident that his team will deliver a much improved performance against Benfica.

He said;

“Their stadium is going to be rocking on Thursday night - and after our result they will be looking forward to us coming - but cwe will certainly be better than we were on Saturday.

We'll have played two of the best teams in Europe, I think, in Manchester City and Benfica this week.''

He added;

"This is a great test for us, against a big club like Benfica. Their players are confident and we know it will be difficult for us.

I believe we will need to present ourselves in a better way than we did against Manchester City. We can beat them at St. James Park, but for that, we will need to take home a positive result on Thursday."

Whilst Jorge Jesus, Benfica manager said;

"The fact they are in 15th place in England doesn't mean a thing.
 
They have played 12 matches in the UEFA Europa League and lost just once. Their squad is full of internationals. It will be an even tie that won't be decided in the first game."

EL: Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Benfica v Newcastle Utd

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 03/04/2013 21:33

TyneTalk
03/04/2013 21:33

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annie
04/04/2013 07:49

I'm hoping the lads will want to redeem themselves after that woeful performance against Man City. They certainly can't play any worse.

I'd be happy with a score draw.

C'mon Toon make us proud.

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annie
04/04/2013 07:56

The match is on ITV 4 from 7.30.

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mentalman
04/04/2013 17:26

im not watching if obertan starts I'll end up throwing sometjing at my tv

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MissC
04/04/2013 18:07

Better hold out for the lineup then Mentalman - Il have the up as soon as they are annoucned

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surreymag
04/04/2013 19:22

Score draw would be good 2-1 defeat ok and a win well we can hope I guess.

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MissC
04/04/2013 19:37

An away goal would be AMAZING

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annie
04/04/2013 20:18

Cisse 1-0

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MissC
04/04/2013 20:18

CISSSEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

(AWAY GOAL!)

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annie
04/04/2013 20:31

1-1

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MissC
04/04/2013 20:31

1-1 Krul had no chance after a great 1st save.

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MissC
04/04/2013 20:54

Well, 20 minutes good football 25 minutes of poor football, losing the ball and falling a part under pressure.

Lets have a repeat of the first 20 please!

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annie
04/04/2013 20:58

Marveaux has not impressed me.

I agree Carys we did well the first 20 mins. More of the same please.

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annie
04/04/2013 21:28

FFS Santon you plonker!!!

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MissC
04/04/2013 21:29

Appauling

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annie
04/04/2013 21:32

3-1 Benfica penalty

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MissC
04/04/2013 21:35

FFS - 2 bad defending decisions from 2 defenders has led to 2 goals

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MissC
04/04/2013 21:36

...consistent at something.

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annie
04/04/2013 21:43

Marveau off wor Shola on

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mentalman
04/04/2013 21:59

Yanga Mbiwa messed up for the first goal
Santon messed up for the second goal
Could Taylor have got his arm out of the way for the penalty or should sissoko have cleared the ball instead of ducking under it?

Benfica couldn't cope when Marv ran at them and he was defending well, the problem is he drifts in and out of matches too much.

Its going to be tough getting through to the semi's now

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surreymag
04/04/2013 22:33

It's a big ask but strange things happen in these games. The away goal is a bonus but they will be good on the counter attack at SJP. I say go for it if we get beat by doing that then so be it.

3 points on Sunday please I am going to the match staying for the weekend. My mate and his 2 sons are Fulham supporters so hopefully they will enjoy the weekend apart from the game.

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CNDShearerFan16
05/04/2013 00:11

Well, that was one I was glad to be working for!

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annie
11/04/2013 20:51

Cisse offside. How unusual that is. Not!

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