EL: Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Newcastle Utd v Benfica
By Tyne-Talk April 10 2013
Newcastle United host Benfica tomorrow night in the 2nd leg of the Europa League quarter finals. Newcastle go into the game carrying a 3-1 defeat from the first leg, but a win at the weekend in the Premier League. Whilst Benfica have won all six of their last six games in all competitions, Newcastle have won three and lost three.
If manager Alan Pardew had concerns about the number of injuries his side was carrying last weekend, he will be even more concerned ahead of this 2nd leg after Steven Taylor was ruled out earlier today with a knee injury he picked up in training. He joins Davide Santon (hamstring) and Cheik Tiote (hamstring) on the sidelines, whilst Mathieu Debuchy (injured) and Yoan Gouffran are both ineligible.
Fabricio Coloccini (back), James Perch (hamstring), Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring) and Massadio Haidara are all scheduled to return but whether all three participate remains to be seen. Captain Cabaye is listed as suffering with an ankle/foot injury and is reported to be unavailable for selection, whilst Ryan Taylor (knee) is almost 100% but is unlikely to be risked ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby.
Newcastle currently have 11 injured players, 4 more than the next Premier League team.
Pardew said earlier today;
“Hatem has made an unbelievable recovery. He will be involved tomorrow and I'm sure if he's needed he will be somebody who can turn the game."
They have a real, real threat on the counter-attack, and the game could easily get away from us, so we have got to be very much on our guard.
We must approach it in the right manner, give ourselves a chance and try to get us to the end of the game in a position where we can get it back.
I would still feel confident two goals down with 10 minutes to go, the way that we are and the potential we have in the group, and the way I can affect it off the bench."
Fact: Benfica have lost just 3 times in 43 games this season, score 23 goals in their last 6 games and conceded just 4.
EL: Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Newcastle Utd v Benfica
Posted by: TyneTalk (IP Logged)
Date: 10/04/2013 19:42
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:10:19:44:49 by Carys.
Nothing to lose go for it I think we will win but the fact that they may well score means a 4-1 win to us then! Stranger things have happened. My real prediction is 2-1 close but no cigar!
In the last few minutes of our game against Fulham some of our players, and some of Fulham's looked as if they couldn't walk another step.
I thought then that a win for us today would be all but impossible and now looking at the new additions to our injury list I have absolutely no hope of a win.
Play well tonight lads but keep your strength for the Sunderland match on Sunday.
Yes a good effort but to be fair it was about guts rather than ability. Benfica are a good side upwards and onwards let's bounce back on Sunday against our local rivals.
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