Benfica v Newcastle United - Europa League Quarter Final - Official Matchday Thread

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Benfica V Newcastle United

Thursday 4th April 2013

Kick off 8.05pm @ Estádio da Luz (Live on ITV4) ​

Squad
Vuckic, Raylor are long term absentees along with Colo and HBA.
The Gouff and Debuchy are also ineligible.

Streams
http://www.firstrow1.eu/
http://www.viplivesports.eu/sports/football.html

Head to Head - Toon v Portugese opposition
1968/69 Sporting Lisbon (h) won 1-0 Robson
1968/69 Sporting Lisbon (a) drew 1-1 Scott
1968/69 Vitoria Setubal (h) won 5-1 Davies, Foggon, Gibb, Robson 2
1968/69 Vitoria Setubal (n) lost 1-3 Davies
1969/70 Porto (h) won 1-0 Scott
1969/70 Porto (a) drew 0-0
2004/05 Sporting Lisbon (h) drew 1-1 Bellamy
2004/05 Sporting Lisbon (h) won 1-0 Shearer
2004/05 Sporting Lisbon (a) lost 1-4 Dyer
2012/13 Maritimo (h) drew 1-1 Marveaux
2012/13 Maritimo (a) drew 0-0

ACS's View
My view is that we will draw this game 1-1 giving us the vital away goal.

Betting
1-1 draw is 13/2
Toon 2-1 is 20/1
Benfica 2-1 is 7/1
Cisse and 2-1 to the Toon- 100/1 (no typo, that is a cracking price)

 

I fear we will get beat, and heavily. I'm thinking 3-0

 

More interested in staying the PL now, so couldn't care less, we might as well put a weakened team out, save our best players for fitness for Sunday vs Fulham.

It's been a nice journey in the EL but this game is one we could do without, shame, but until PL Safety is assured this needs to be less a priority.

 

Really wished I was going to the game now

 

We're down to the bare bones again.
Another defensive injury and we'll be trotting Willo out next.

It's bad enough already we have Jonas on the namesheet, he's out of position at LB!

We'll need Marveaux to carry us offensively to get something from this.

 

Gonna follow my heart and put £10 on us to win 2-1... although my negative head is most likely right.

 

Latest news is that Haidara will make the team for Lisbon.


That's great news, absolutely fantastic to be honest.

 

This is superb news. So pleased for the lad.

 

He'll be a big asset for us.
With MD ineligible I'd be tempted to switch Santon to RB and drop Haidara into LB

 

With the greatest of respect, and fully understanding your point of view, **** that noise.

We can get 6 points from our last 7 games and take Europe seriously. Get past Benfica and we are even money for the final. Opportunities like this come rarely and should be seized.

 

I think the Premier League is everybody's main concern, but a lot of regular away supporters have shelled out quite a bit of cash to go and support the guys and deserve to have a show put on.

 

Seriously tough game. I expect a defeat and probably quite heavy. 3-1 to Benfica. They are a european heavyweight compared to us.

It is a difficult one knowing how to approach the game in terms of keeping players fresh for Sunday. On reflection though I do think a lot of fans have spent hard earned cash travelling throughout Europe. We also should be good enough to pick up 7 more points in the league and it is a golden opportunity to provide our fans with something special. If we somehow got through Benfica (which I seriously doubt to be honest), a European semi final would be a terrific achievement. A final would be beyond anyones expectations.

I think we have to go for it.

 

Could play the kids?
Krul and Taylor were thrown into the European pressure cooker at tender ages.

 

Elliot

Simpson - Saylor - Mbiwa - Haidara

Cabaye - Anita

Marveaux - Sissoko - Jonas

Cisse



For Fulham


Elliot/Krul

Santon - Saylor - Mbiwa - Haidara/Perch

Cabaye - Tiote

Marveax - Sissoko - Gouf

Cisse

6 or 7 players play twice in 3 days: that is do-able

 

Would like to see Anita figure.

 

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****e! Haidara has missed making the trip. Krul and Santon in though. Hope we dun trot out Jonas at LB again.

 

anyone know any boys who are deffo going?

 

I want to be positive, but I'm going for a 2-1 loss. As long as we can remain free from injuries and go into the home leg in a decent position, I'll be happy.

We need to do well in the Fulham game.

I'd play -

-------------Shola---------------

--------Cisse---------------------

Marveaux---Tiote---Cabaye---Jonas

Santon--Mbiwa---Saylor---Simpson

--------------Elliot-------------


Try to play solid and defensive. Shola has been good in the Europa League, I'd give the Portuguese a bit of long ball problems and try and keep them out.

1-1 would be a great result. An away goal and a 2-1 loss wouldn't be so bad, if it means no injuries.

 

Quite a few of the regs that travel on the same coach as me to the away games are going, wish I was going myself now.