The mood around St James’ Park has dipped after the Brighton mess, but European nights give this team a chance to put things right. Howe’s men return home needing a performance as much as a result, and after that shambles on the south coast, nothing less than three points will do.
What’s at stake
Benfica at home. Under the lights. A chance to reset the narrative.
The Brighton defeat was infuriating not just for the result but for how predictable it felt. Poor team selection, tired legs, and another disaster-class for Burn at left-back. Howe’s loyalty to “his” signings, especially Elanga, is testing patience. This one feels like a line in the sand.
Lose, and the discontent swells ever more. Win, and the noise quiets down, at least for a week.
Team news & possible line-ups
Injuries / doubts:
- Sandro Tonali is “touch and go” after missing training ahead of Benfica.
- Lewis Hall remains out with a hamstring injury sustained in Brussels.
- Tino Livramento is ruled out until late November with a knee injury.
- Yoane Wissa, the summer signing, has yet to make his debut after a knee injury, still sidelined.
- Also unavailable through squad rules: Jamaal Lascelles, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie (not in Champions League List A).
Predicted line-up
If Tonali is ruled out, expect Miley to start.
What did Eddie say
On the Brighton defeat and the quick turnaround:
“We’re delighted to play quickly and try to build momentum back in our performance. Reflecting on the Brighton game, it was mixed, a lot of good in the game, but ultimately it doesn’t matter. We lost, and we know we need to improve.”
On Tonali’s illness:
“Bit of illness with Sandro. He’ll be touch and go. He’s such an important player, so we’ll use all the hours we have.”
On Mourinho and his legacy:
“I’ve hugely admired him. The teams he built at Chelsea in particular, he broke the mould in how you manage and prepare teams. Incredible what he’s achieved. It’s always a great opportunity to go up against one of his teams.”
On the St James’ Park atmosphere:
“We love these games. The atmosphere will be electric, I’ve got no doubt. I just hope our performance mirrors that crowd energy — if we’re at our best, we’ve got a good chance.”
On Miley and Ramsey stepping up if Tonali can’t:
“They’re both very, very good players. We’ve got a strong midfield this year, if one player’s missing, it’s an opportunity for another to grab theirs.”
On Mourinho’s Benfica:
“His teams are incredibly well-organised, very hard to beat. We’ll have to defend well, but we know they’ve got attacking threats too. It’s going to be a tactically interesting game.”
On the fans:
“The crowd can inspire us. When it’s a tight game, you bank on that home crowd to swing it your way.”
The Mourinho connection
There’s an extra thread to this fixture: José Mourinho. It’s often forgotten, but Sir Bobby Robson once offered Mourinho an assistant role at Newcastle back in the 1990s, before the Portuguese coach took off on his own path to glory. Mourinho has always spoken fondly of St James’ Park. Now he returns to Tyneside as Benfica boss, a reminder of what might have been, and a test of how far this club has really come.
Key battles
- Midfield control: Bruno & Tonali vs Benfica’s engine room: if our midfield is flat again like it was against Brighton, the visitors will dominate.
- Left-back vs pace: With Hall and Livramento out, the left-flank is fragile as Burn is not capable of performing there at an elite level. We need a different option.
- Finishing edge: We didn’t take our half chances against Brighton. In the Champions League, these fine margins punish you.
- Psychological reset: After Brighton, we need urgency. The crowd, the occasion, the moment all demand a sharper display.
Prediction
If the lads play like they did at Brighton, slow, flat, too comfortable, I fear the night will slip away. But if Howe makes the right changes, fresh legs and sharper minds, they can impose themselves. Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Benfica.
