"If we can manage to score in the first 20 minutes, we can progress to the next round," was the positive approach Newcastle manager Alan Pardew took, ahead of Thursday's match. Needing two goals without conceding, the Magpies are well aware how difficult a task they face.
Of all their matches in the current Europa League campaign, Newcastle has only managed to win by more than one goal on a single occasion. That match was at home against Bordeaux in October.
Thursday's opponent will, or at least should, pose more of a threat than Bordeaux. Having to deal with Benfica's well balanced squad, Pardew will be pleased at the fact that French international Hatem Ben Arfa will be available to play.
"Hatem made a fantastic recovery," Pardew told reporters. "He is going to play tomorrow, and I am fully confident that if need be, he will be able to change the match."
Having Ben Arfa will add some creativity into Newcastle's squad. Being able to play along many of his fellow countrymen should also give him some confidence for this match. He can be the difference maker for the hosts if fully healthy, forcing Benfica's Matic and Enzo Perez to make sure they keep a close eye on him.
The Serbian's presence in the Benfica midfield has been a guarantee throughout the season, and if Benfica is to keep close tabs on Newcastle on Thursday, they will need Matic at the top of his game, as he has been so often.
Knowing that the English side needs a minimum of two goals will take some pressure off the visitors, but the Portuguese side is prepared to deal with Ameobi and Cisse in the Newcastle attack.
"Newcastle is going to try and start strong, and try to score in the first half, but this Benfica side is prepared for all the scenarios," said Jorge Jesus. "It is going to be a match of aggressiveness and a lot of direct football."
"They will most likely play with Cisse and Ameobi in the front, but we are already anticipating that scenario. We are also going to play with two strikers," he added.
Whether it is Rodrigo, Cardozo or even Lima, all three are capable of causing problems for the Newcastle back four. On the other end of the pitch, Cisse proved to be a big headache in the first match, having been denied a goal on two occasions by the post.
"This is a big week for us, one of those in which every player enjoys being a part of," Cisse said when questioned about Thursday's match.
"We have been doing well in the Europa League, and we have moved on in every round. Against Benfica, I expect the same."
Newcastle's Previous Matches
03-10-13 Newcastle 2-1 Stoke City (EPL)
03-14-13 Newcastle 1-0 Anzhi (Europa League)
03-17-13 Wigan 2-1 Newcastle (EPL)
03-30-13 Manchester City 4-0 Newcastle (EPL)
04-04-13 Benfica 3-1 Newcastle (Europa League)
04-07-13 Newcastle 1-0 Fulham (EPL)
Benfica's Previous Matches
03-10-13 Benfica 5-0 Gil Vicente (Portuguese League)
03-14-13 Bordeaux 2-3 Newcastle (Europa League)
03-17-13 V. Guimaraes 0-4 Benfica (Portuguese League)
03-30-13 Benfica 6-1 Rio Ave (Portuguese League)
04-04-13 Benfica 3-1 Newcastle (Europa League)
04-07-13 Olhanense 0-2 Benfica (Portuguese League)
Prediction
Benfica struggled at times in the first leg, so this match is by no means over. Had Papiss Cisse not been denied by the post twice, Newcastle could well have escaped with a much better result.
With all of that in the past, a 3-1 lead for Benfica looks extremely promising for the Portuguese side. Newcastle has not managed to defeat anyone in the Europa League by more than a goal in quite sometime, giving the visitors even more of an advantage.
When you add in Benfica's form, things become even more difficult for Newcastle, but that does not mean that they will not give it a go.
Anything is possible, but for Newcastle to make their way into the next round, they will have to be nearly perfect. Will Pardew's men be able to turn a sub par domestic campaign into European success?
Newcastle 1-1 Benfica
