Benfica vs Newcastle: Don't underestimate belligerent Magpies

 

Newcastle United have caused surprise after surprise in the Europa League this season, and Kevin Hatchard expects them to make life tough for Benfica.

 

Benfica vs Newcastle United, Thu 20:05 BST, Live on ITV4

Match Odds: Benfica 1.51, Newcastle 8.4, the draw 4.4

 

Newcastle have confounded their critics to reach this stage, and I must admit I was one of those critics. I didn't expect them to overcome Metalist Kharkiv in the last  32, and I certainly didn't anticipate their 1-0 aggregate success against Anzhi Makhachkala. To keep two clean sheets against an attack that included Samuel Eto'o  takes some doing, and the Magpies deserve massive credit.

 

The Opta stats tell us that Newcastle have kept an impressive seven clean sheets in the Europa League (eight if you count the qualifiers), and no other team has kept  more. Alan Pardew's men are yet to concede a goal in the knockout phase, and their only defeat in the competition was a 2-0 reverse at Bordeaux in what was effectively  a dead rubber. Although centre-back Fabricio Coloccini is out and Steven Taylor is struggling to be fit, French international Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has settled in well.  The Magpies are further boosted by the return to the squad of keeper Tim Krul and full-back Davide Santon.

 

Benfica have also defended well in European competition this season. In the Champions League they kept clean sheets in three of their six group games, and they have  kept two shut-outs in four Europa League matches. Brazilian keeper Artur had a superb game to help his team beat Bayer Leverkusen in the last 32, and the form of  imposing centre-back Ezequiel Garay has reportedly attracted envious glances from Manchester United.

 

Benfica are understandably favourites - they have won both home games in the knockout phase, and the only team to have beaten them on their own patch all season is  Barcelona. That said, the Portuguese league leaders have only won one of their European games by more than a single goal this term, and it's worth backing Newcastle  +1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.13. With two strong defences on show, backing Under 2.5 Goals also looks attractive at 1.88.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Newcastle +1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.13

 

Best Bet

Back Under 2.5 Goals at 1.88

 

Bet HERE

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