Newcastle welcome Benfica and Jose Mourinho to St. James' Park for an enticing Champions League clash.
The Magpies hammered Union Saint-Gilloise last time out in Europe but they come into this one on the back of a Premier League loss at Brighton and overall, their form has been very iffy this season — with only Nick Woltemade really impressing.
Mourinho replaced Bruno Lage in charge of the Portuguese giants just over a month ago and has since won three of his first six games, with his sole loss coming narrowly against his former side, Chelsea.
Mourinho has a strong affinity with Newcastle, due to his tutelage under the legendary Sir Bobby Robson in the 1990s, but he will be looking to mark his latest return to England with a win over the Magpies. Will "The Special One" show glimpses of his old magic, or will Eddie Howe outdo him here?
AllSportsPeople brings you this betting preview complete with the latest tips, predictions and odds.
Newcastle vs. Benfica: Who Will Win?
Newcastle's once-vaunted home record has been anything but so far this season, with the Magpies already having lost three times at St. James' Park in 2025/26.
Those losses did come against Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona, and the first two were courtesy of injury-time winners, but Benfica might still fancy their chances.
However, with Woltemade in brilliant form and Anthony Gordon scoring three times already in Europe, we think Howe's side should have enough to get the win.
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Head-to-Head: Newcastle vs. Benfica
- These two clubs have only met twice before in competitive action. Those games came in 2013 in a Europa League quarter-final, where Benfica won 3-1 in Lisbon before a 1-1 draw at St. James'.
- Mourinho has won 11 of his 21 games against the Magpies, losing five and drawing five.
- The two managers have met eight times before, with Mourinho having five wins to Howe's one.
Newcastle vs. Benfica Form Guide
Newcastle — Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Brighton 2-1 Newcastle (Premier League)
- Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- Union Saint-Gilloise 0-4 Newcastle (Champions League)
- Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal (Premier League)
- Newcastle 4-1 Bradford City (League Cup)
Benfica — Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Chaves 0-2 Benfica (Taca de Portugal)
- Porto 0-0 Benfica (Liga Portugal)
- Chelsea 1-0 Benfica (Champions League)
- Benfica 2-1 Gil Vicente (Liga Portugal)
- Benfica 1-1 Rio Ave (Liga Portugal)
Newcastle vs. Benfica Score Prediction
This should be a tense and tight game, with Mourinho team having conceded just three times in his six games back in charge of Benfica.
Newcastle have scored just seven times in the league this season but did hit four on their last European outing. Woltemade and Gordon should be able to unlock the Portuguese giants' defence at least once or twice.
Expect Benfica to score but the Magpies to get a much-needed victory.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Benfica (15/2 with Bet365)
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Newcastle vs. Benfica Team News
Newcastle Team News
- Eddie Howe continues to be without full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, meaning Dan Burn will deputise at left-back again and Kieran Trippier should start on the other flank.
- Joelinton managed just 45 minutes in the loss at Brighton with Lewis Miley coming on. The young midfielder likely will start here.
Benfica Team News
- Mourinho made changes for the cup win over Chaves but is likely to go back to his current preferred XI for this one.
- Anatoliy Trubin will return in goal, Nicolas Otamendi will come into defence while Richard Rios will likely start in midfield.
Newcastle vs. Benfica: Predicted Lineups
This is how we think these two sides will line up, with Fabian Schar coming in for Malick Thiaw at the back for Newcastle and Lewis Miley starting in midfield.
Newcastle predicted lineup to play Benfica
(4-3-3) Pope (GK) — Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn — Miley, Tonali, Guimaraes — Gordon, Woltemade, Murphy
Benfica predicted lineup to play Newcastle
(4-2-3-1) Trubin (GK) — Dedic, A Silva, Otamendi, Dahl — Barrenechea, Rios — Ausnes, Sudakov, Lukebakio — Pavlidis
Newcastle vs. Benfica Betting Odds
- Newcastle to Win: 8/13 Coral
- Benfica to Win: 5/1 AK Bets
- Draw: 10/3 Spreadex
Bet Builder Tips: Newcastle vs. Benfica
Our bet builder for this one is Newcastle to win, Both Teams To Score, Over 2.5 goals and Nick Woltemade to continue his fantastic form with another goal at any time.
This comes to overall best odds of 10.2/1 with Sky Bet. You can build your own bet builder and compare the best bookmaker prices using the tool below.
How to watch Newcastle vs. Benfica: Live stream, TV channel
Here's all the key information on how to watch Newcastle vs. Benfica tonight.
- Date: Tuesday, October 21
- Venue: St. James' Park, Newcastle
- Time: 8:00 p.m.
- TV/Stream: TNT Sports