Newcastle showcased an impressive performance in their previous UEFA Champions League outing and will aim to secure another three points when they host Benfica on matchday three.

Following a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Barcelona, it was crucial for the Magpies to recover when they traveled to face Union Saint-Gilloise. Expectations were for Newcastle to win in Belgium, but the emphatic 4-0 victory exceeded many predictions and boosted morale significantly.

Manager Eddie Howe will now look to harness the energy of a passionate home crowd as his side prepares to face Portuguese heavyweights Benfica, who are eager to register their first points of the campaign.

Benfica’s season has been turbulent. Bruno Lage was dismissed after a shocking 3-2 home defeat to Qarabag, and his replacement, Jose Mourinho, suffered a 1-0 loss in his return to Chelsea. Now, the “Special One” has had more time on the training ground to instill his ideas and get the team firing under his guidance.