Venue: Estadio Da Luz Date: Thursday, 4th April K/o: 20:05
Team News
Benfica are one of the in-form teams left in the Europa League as they go into tonight's quarter-final clash with Newcastle United at the Estadio Da Luz. Jorge Jesus's side haven't lost a home game in Europe since December 2008, and are in free-scoring form. The Portuguse' have hit 102 goals in total this term and Jesus faces the dilemma of either restoring Rodrigo to the starting line-up or rewarding Brazilian striker Lima with a starting berth following his weekend hat-trick against Rio Ave. Argentina international Eduardo Salvio is out with a knee injury. Newcastle could welcome back goalkeeper Tim Krul following the Dutchman's seven-game spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury. Full-back Davide Santon is among the 19-man party that has travelled to Portugal despite missing Saturday's defeat to Manchester City with a thigh problem, while centre-back Mike Williamson and teenager Adam Campbell have also made the squad. Cheick Tiote (hamstring) and Massadio Haidara (knee) miss out, as do longer-term absentees Fabricio Coloccini (back) and Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), while Mathieu Debuchy and Yoan Gouffran are both ineligible.
Match Preview
On paper, this one looks like a bit of a mismatch. While Benfica top the Primeira Liga by four points, tonight's opponents Newcastle are three above the Premier League relegation zone. The Portuguese outfit also have an imperious home record in Europe, and have not lost here since December 2008. They dropped into the Europa League after finishing 3rd in a group consisting of Celtic and Barcelona and along with Chelsea, who also dropped out at the group stages of Europe's top-tier competition, are considered one of the tournament favourites. If Newcastle are to prevail over the course of two legs, they will have to overcome a poor run of domestic form, including their 4-0 routing by Manchester City last weekend. But the Magpies have been a surprise package in Europe this term and while they have been poor in the league, abroad it has been a different matter. They overcame Metalist Kharkiv and Anzhi Makhachkala en-route to the last 8, and Benfica manager Jorge Jesus will not be underestimating his opposition.
" an even tie - it will be hard".
Likely Line-Ups
Benfica Artur, Garay, Luisao, Melgarejo, Pereira, Gaitan, Perez, Matic, Gomes, Rodrigo, Lima
Newcastle Krul, Santon, Yanga-Mbiwa, Taylor, Simpson, Cabaye, Anita, Marveaux, Sissoko, Gutierrez, Cisse Source:
Sky Sports