Newcastle United return to European action on Tuesday night as they host a struggling Benfica side at St. James’ Park in their third Champions League group fixture. The Magpies are fresh from an impressive 4-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise in their last clash. They will look to continue their momentum, while the visitors are still searching for their first point of the campaign.
Eddie Howe’s side have had a mixed start to the season but showed their best version in Europe last time out. After falling 2-1 to Barcelona in their opener, Newcastle bounced back emphatically in Brussels. They produced a dominant performance that reignited their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in their history. With confidence high and a passionate home crowd behind them, the Magpies will be eager to build on that success and make St. James’ Park a fortress.
| Bets | Moneyline | Moneyline |
| Full Time Result | Newcastle United: -165, Benfica: +425 | Draw: +320 |
| Draw No Bet | Newcastle United: -450 | Benfica: +275 |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5: -145 | Under 2.5: +105 |
| Newcastle United to Win and Both Teams to Score | Yes: +220 | No: +170 |
| Benfica to Win and Both Teams to Score | Yes: +750 | No: +750 |
(Odds via BetMGM)
Consistency remains an issue for Newcastle. Their recent 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton ended a short winning streak and highlighted defensive vulnerabilities that Benfica could look to exploit. Howe’s men currently sit mid-table in Premier League but know that a win here would place them firmly in contention for qualification.
On the other hand, Benfica enter the contest under pressure after back-to-back defeats in the Champions League, including a narrow 1-0 loss to Chelsea and a shock 3-2 home defeat to Qarabag. Under new manager Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese giants are still finding their rhythm, though a recent 2-0 cup win over Chaves and a hard-fought draw against Porto in the league have steadied the ship somewhat.
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Over 2.5 Goals looks like a strong pick for Newcastle United vs Benfica, given both teams’ recent form and attacking tendencies. Newcastle’s last three wins have all come with clean attacking performances, including a 4-0 thrashing of Union Saint-Gilloise. With Newcastle eager to dominate at home and Benfica desperate to get their first Champions League points, this clash is likely to open up quickly, making three or more goals a strong possibility.
Nick Woltemade to score anytime at looks a good pick for this fixture. The German forward has been in excellent form since joining Newcastle, netting four goals in five Premier League matches and adding another in the Champions League. His sharp positioning and aerial presence make him a consistent threat inside the box, especially against a Benfica defense that has kept just one clean sheet in their last five games across all competitions. With Newcastle creating plenty of chances at home and Woltemade emerging as their focal point in attack, I am backing him to find the net again here.
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With Newcastle’s attacking firepower and Benfica’s renewed determination under Mourinho, this clash promises to be an intriguing tactical battle. The Magpies’ energy and home advantage make them favorites, but the visitors’ experience in Europe means this could be closer than expected. This contest could have major implications for both sides’ hopes of progressing .
Final Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Benfica
Bettors can explore a variety of betting options on BetMGM, including full-time results, over/under goals, and player props for this clash.
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