Newcastle United face a daunting away trip to Portugal in what is probably the tie of the round in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Newcastle United face a daunting but glamorous Quarter-Final against Benfica, as they head to Lisbon to contest the first leg of the game.
Typically, both bosses were full of praise and warning for their opposite number's teams, although the Portuguese will be favourites over the tie and certainly in the first leg. Newcastle's task will be made harder by injury problems continuing to plague their squad, whereas their hosts have a full roster to choose from.
Newcastle's last game saw them thrashed by Manchester City, but the Magpies should improve for this tie as they welcome back some players to their side. Nonetheless, with key defenders absent and the quality of Benfica's attack considered, both teams will be strongest on the front foot and should look to attack in what promises to be an entertaining tie.
Out: Cheick Tiote (hamstring), Massadio Haidara (knee), Fabricio Coloccini (back), Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), Mathieu Debuchy (ineligible), Yoann Gouffran (ineligible)
Benfica have no injuries or suspensions to any major players and will thus have the luxury of a full-strength squad to field against the Magpies.
Newcastle, on the other hand, have plenty. January signings Mathieu Debuchy and Yoann Gouffran are cup-tied, while first-team players Coloccini, Tiote and Ben Arfa are all also absent. Massadio Haidara is also ruled out. There is some good news however, with other injured players returning: Tim Krul and Davide Santon both return to action.
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