Newcastle v Benfica Prediction 4th April 2013

Newcastle v Benfica Betting Preview
The progress of Newcastle in the Europa League this season has all hinged on their stout defensive efforts. They are going to need another one on Thursday night as they head out to Portugal to face the exciting and talented Benfica side. Since dropping out of the Champions League though, the Portuguese side have been in tremendous form, rattling off four wins from four.

Newcastle v Benfica Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Benfica 8/15, Draw 11/4, Newcastle 6/1

Newcastle v Benfica Recommended Bet:
It has been all about defensive efforts for Newcastle so far. At the back they have been great, whereas they have been very lightweight going forward. They have posted four clean sheets in a row so far, and if they manage to grab another on Thursday night, then they will set a record for the competition. So far going forward though, the Magpies have only managed nine goals since the start of the group stage, averaging less  than a goal per game. If their defence does get breached, do they have enough in the tank to respond?

The Magpies have recorded just one win in their six away games played in the Europa League this season. So they have had their travelling problems. They really need to keep Benfica quiet on Thursday night to have something to take back to St James Park. Only a late, late goal in the second leg against Anzhi Makhachkala in the last round saw them through 1-0 on aggregate. Newcastle have recorded a W1 D3 L1 record against sides from Portugal in five previous meetings. Away from home, they have yet to ever win in Portugal, taking a draw and a defeat. Interestingly, the last time that they were at this stage of the competition, they lost to Portuguese sides Sporting Clube de Portugal.

As for Benfica, they have posted four wins from four in the competition so far, beating Bayern Leverkusen and Bordeaux. On home soil, they have won their last four European home matches in a row now, and haven’t been defeated on home turf in 13 UEFA Europa League home fixtures (W12 D1 L0). In each of the last three Europa League campaigns, they have made it to the quarter finals. However, they are on a five match winless streak against Premier League sides, suffering three defeats in those game. Overall, Benfica’s 29 previous matches against English sides have ended with a W9 D4 L16 record, with a W6 D3 L5 at home against English visitors. All five of Benfica’s previous quarter finals against English sides, have been lost by the Portuguese side.

Online bookmaker Promotion
Will there be a lack of goals in Portugal on Thursday night? If so, it could be worth taking advantage of online bookmaker Bet365’s Bore Draw promotion. If the game ends in a 0-0 draw, then the bookie will refund losing stakes on the Correct Score, Scorecast and Half Time/Full Time markets. Online bookmaker Bet365 offer up to a free £200 bet for new customers registering an account with them, matching the value of your initial deposit with a free bet as a welcome bonus.