Copyright GIVEMESPORT
Newcastle United go head-to-head with Benfica at St James' Park in the Champions League, as the Magpies search for their first home win in the competition this season. Newcastle started their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 home defeat against Barcelona, but they followed that up with a convincing 4-0 victory away to Union Saint-Gilloise. Benfica have struggled in the competition so far this season, losing both of their games in the Champions League. As Newcastle supporters prepare for another exciting night of European football at St James' Park, GIVEMESPORT have taken a look at how the two teams could line up. Newcastle Team News Newcastle will be without some key players heading into this game, with Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, and Yoane Wissa remaining on the treatment table. Eddie Howe has also been dealt a potential fresh injury blow, with Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie confirming that Sandro Tonali was absent from their training group on Monday morning ahead of the match. The Italian midfielder has played a crucial role for the Magpies this season, so it will be a real loss if he's unavailable to face Benfica. Journalist Craig Hope later confirmed that Tonali has been suffering from a bug, meaning he still has a chance of making the squad. Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Howe confirmed that Tonali has a chance of making the squad... “A bit of illness for Sandro so he will be touch and go for the game. “We’ll give him every opportunity. “He wasn’t there for training today." Newcastle Predicted XI Newcastle Predicted XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Miley; J.Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon. Newcastle Predicted Substitutes: Ramsdale (GK), Thompson (GK), Krafth (DEF), Schar (DEF), A.Murphy (DEF), Ramsey (MID), Willock (MID), Tonali (MID), Barnes (FWD), Elanga (FWD), Osula (FWD). With Tonali potentially not fully fit, Lewis Miley could come into the starting XI after coming off the bench against Brighton at the weekend. With Anthony Elanga still struggling to produce in the final third, Howe could look to bring in Jacob Murphy on the right-hand side of attack. Other than that, it could be an unchanged side from the weekend, considering some of the injuries Howe has to contend with at the moment. There's a chance Tonali still makes the squad, but there's certainly no guarantee he will start. Benfica Team News Benfica played in the cup at the weekend, with manager Jose Mourinho making multiple changes ahead of their Champions League clash with Newcastle. Alexander Bah, Manu Silva, and Bruma are all likely to miss out as they continue their recoveries from injury. Benfica Predicted XI Benfica Predicted XI: Trubin; Dedic, A Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Barrenechea, Rios; Ausnes, Sudakov, Lukebakio; Pavlidis Benfica Predicted Substitutes: Ferreira (GK), Soares (GK), Oliveira (DEF), T.Araujo (DEF), Obrador (DEF), Prioste (MID), Veloso (MID), Barreiro (MID), Schjelderup (FWD), Ivanovic (FWD), H.Araujo (FWD), Rego (FWD). Mourinho has barely rotated his side outside of the cup match at the weekend since he arrived at the club, and he's likely to go for his strongest XI possible in such a big European game. Former Man City defender Nicolas Otamendi is likely to line up at the heart of the defence, while star striker Vangelis Pavlidis should lead the line in attack.
