Newcastle vs Benfica: Cards could fly in Champions League clash
The Champions League returns to action this midweek with the third round of league phase fixtures from Europe’s premier club competition.
Newcastle welcome Portuguese giants Benfica to St James’ Park looking to make it back to back wins in the competition. Our football tipster Matt Hill has two fancies ahead of the clash on Tyneside.
A frustrating start to 2025-26 continued for Newcastle on Saturday with a 2-1 loss at Brighton in the Premier League, leaving them down in 11th place after eight games.
The Toon were comfortably second best for most of the contest at the Amex, failing to muster a shot on target in the first 70 minutes – but an inspired Nick Woltemade backheel drew them level and seemed to give them the momentum.
So, Eddie Howe will have been frustrated to leave the South Coast with nothing, after a second smart finish from Danny Welbeck won it for the hosts with five minutes remaining.
Howe made two changes at half-time against Brighton, withdrawing a tired-looking Joelinton and ineffective Anthony Elanga, and their replacements Jacob Murphy and Lewis Miley made a positive impact.
It will be interesting to see if the Newcastle boss opts to throw that pair in from the start here.
Benfica are unbeaten in the Portuguese Primeira Liga but three draws alongside their five victories mean the Lisbon outfit are already chasing fierce rivals Porto and Sporting.
Meanwhile, a shock opening-day Champions League home defeat to Azerbaijani side Qarabag proved to be fatal for Bruno Lage, who was sacked as boss and replaced with a very familiar face in Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho has overseen three wins, two draws and a defeat in his six games back in charge of the club he started his managerial career with all the way back in 2000 – that sole defeat coming at Stamford Bridge against another of his former clubs in Chelsea, going down 1-0.
The legendary Portuguese coach admitted he is hugely looking forward to a trip to Tyneside, largely due to the close relationship he enjoyed with Magpies legend Sir Bobby Robson as his assistant at Sporting, Porto and Barcelona in the 1990s.
And having spent the best part of a decade in the Premier League boss during spells with Chelsea (twice), Manchester United and Tottenham, he will be all too aware of the threat Tuesday’s opponents offer – particularly at home.
Newcastle are very well stocked in terms of quality midfielders but Benfica’s combative operators in the middle of the park are unlikely to roll over here.
Enzo Barrenechea, who was actually purchased by Aston Villa last year as part of a deal that saw Douglas Luiz join Juventus, joined the Portuguese club on loan in August and has impressed thus far – though his love for a tackle is also clear to see.
As well as leading his side for accurate passes per 90 minutes this term (80.4), the Argentine also tops the yellow card table with five bookings from seven league outings – and further cautions in the Cup, Champions League qualifying and the League Phase respectively.
His likely partner on Tuesday is Richard Rios - another man fond of a foul.
Since Mourinho’s arrival, the Colombian has been operating deeper than before and has committed nine fouls in his last five games, picking up bookings in each of his last three outings.
Certain to be facing up against that duo is another South American in Newcastle skipper Bruno Guimaraes.
Little needs to be said about the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina – and anyway, Guimaraes isn’t exactly someone who needs firing up when it comes to getting stuck in.
The Toon ace is averaging over 2 fouls a game across the Premier League and Champions League this term and while his yellow card tally is modest by his usual standards, this feels like the type of fixture where he could find himself playing on the edge.
Benfica will surely come to frustrate under the wily Mourinho and if Barrenechea and Rios are employing the dark arts, it would be little surprise to see Bruno embroiled in some colourful antics.
So, some card combinations with the various midfielders look like a savvy way of playing this one.
2pts - Enzo Barrenechea to be booked - 21/10 (LiveScore/ BetMGM)
2pts - Bruno Guimaraes to be booked - 11/4 (Sky Bet/ Paddy Power/ Betfair)
0.5pt Enzo Barrenechea and Bruno Guimaraes to be booked - 8.65/1 (Paddy Power)
0.5pt - Enzo Barrenechea, Bruno Guimaraes and Ricardo Rios to be booked - 24/1 (Paddy Power)
Total staked - 5pts
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt's p/l
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Skipper 🙌©️
Eddie Howe on Jose Mourinho's connection with Sir Bobby Robson: "I've heard Jose's words about Newcastle and I echo them myself. Everyone connected to the club has great words about Sir Bobby and the role he played in his career - that's really nice to hear. The line stops
