Europa League
2013-04-11 - Newcastle United vs Benfica
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Europa League
Thursday 11 April 2013 - Kick Off 8:05pm
This game is live on TV
Newcastle United
Anyone who saw the first leg at the Stadium of Light will realise that Newcastle United are more than capable of turning around their 3-1 deficit from the first leg. The Magpies had chances to make it 0-2 and 1-2 at different times, but they were then punished for some poor defensive errors and it certainly won't be an easy task against a powerful Benfica team.
With a late goal against Fulham, Newcastle United have opened up a 5 point buffer between themselves and the relegation zone and that will allow the home side to focus on this game. Newcastle do have a big Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland to come on Sunday, which will definitely be in the mind of the manager, but this game is certainly taking top priority. Newcastle are unbeaten at home in Europe this season, but only once have they won by more than one goal which is required on Thursday.
The 1-0 win over Fulham snapped a 3 game losing run for Newcastle United, although all of those losses took place away from St James' Park. Newcastle are actually unbeaten in their last 6 at home in all competitions and they have won 5 of those games including 4 in a row.
Benfica
Benfica certainly weathered an early storm at home in the first leg of this tie to take a 3-1 lead to England, and they are expecting more of the same from the off in this one. With Newcastle United needing to win 2-0, Benfica are hoping to contain the English club for the first twenty minutes, although they are also fairly confident that they can score at least once here.
With a 4 point lead over Porto in the Portuguese top flight, Benfica will be looking to add more trophies to an already busy cabinet this season. The Europa League is not looked upon with scorn in Portugal, as it can be in England at times, and Benfica will certainly feel they can go all the way in the competition. They have won all 5 games in the knockout stage since dropping out of the Champions League and Benfica rarely are beaten easily in Europe in recent seasons.
Since losing at Sporting Braga on a penalty shoot out, Benfica have won 8 in a row in all competitions and that kind of confidence can be key in seeing off ties like this. Benfica are unbeaten in their last 17 away games in all competitions and they have won 4 in a row coming into this one.
Head to Head
This is the first time that Newcastle United will host Benfica in a competitive game.
Prediction
Newcastle United created enough chances in the first leg to think that they have a chance to overturn the deficit, although I also think Benfica are capable of scoring goals in the match.
It should lead to a pretty good game, although a lot will depend on how Benfica approach the game. However, they did record a 2-3 win at Bordeaux in the last Round after winning 1-0 at home so I like the look of the over 2.5 goals in this one.
The Pick :
Newcastle United 2-1 Benfica
