Newcastle vs Benfica Predictions: 21.09.2025 - Champions League Betting Tips

Newcastle vs Benfica

Eddie Howe's Newcastle faces Jose Mourinho's Benfica in a mouthwatering Champions League clash on Tuesday. Last time out Newcastle beat Union SG 4-0, while Benfica made it two defeats on the bounce with a narrow defeat against Mourinho's former employers Chelsea.

Can the Special One work his magic on Tyneside? Champions League betting expert Nathan Joyes reveals all.

Newcastle must win at home

After narrowly losing to Arsenal at home in the Premier League, Newcastle comfortably beat Union SG 4-0 in the Champions League.

Another win and clean sheet followed against Nottingham Forest but once again it was inconsistency that crept into their game with a 2-1 defeat vs Brighton.

At home, Newcastle have won three of their last five - but have lost against teams on a similar level to them or better - which is a concern for their progression out of the group stage.

It's also worrying that Newcastle have lost their last three home matches in the Champions League (all by a single goal margin) - and that's something Eddie Howe must address quickly this campaign.

Yoane Wiss and Lewis Hall remain long term absences for the hosts.

Visitors to keep it tight

Having lost their first two Champions League matches - which saw Jose Mourinho appointed after their shock defeat against Qarabag - Benfica need to start getting points on the board.

They head into this encounter on the back of a 2-0 win against Chaves - only their second win from their last five matches across all competitions.

However, the Portuguese outfit were unfortunate to have not left Stamford Bridge with at least a point - only losing out to a Richard Rios own goal - and if ever there is a man to mastermind a perfect away day in the Champions League - it's certainly Mourinho.

Newcastle vs Benfica H2H

These two sides haven't locked horns since 2022 when Benfica came out on top 3-2 in a friendly. Previously Newcastle and Benfica faced each other in the Europa League quarter-finals back in 2013, where the Portuguese side came out on top 4-2 on aggregate. Newcastle drew the home leg 1-1 thanks to a goal from Papiss Cisse.

Our Newcastle vs Benfica betting tip

With Newcastle's lack of consistency and Benfica's lack of cutting edge in the final, Nathan Joyes believes this Champions League tie could be a close one to call. Read his best bet along with some Champions League odds below.

Tight opening 45

Only two of Newcastle's (4/7 with Betfred)  last five home matches have been a draw at half-time, but those came against Nottingham Forest - a side that decided to drop very deep - and Barcelona, who were firmly in control of possession.

Benfica (4/1 with Betano) have only had one of their last five away matches level at the break, but that came against Porto in a well matched game - and they only fell to a 1-0 defeat vs Chelsea thanks to that Rios own goal.

But the rest of the calibre of teams Benfica have faced are miles behind Newcastle's level - and so we can take those lack of draws with a pinch of salt.

As much as both need points on the board, neither will want to fall behind early - and a tense first half can be expected. Mourinho knows how to frustrate a loud home crowd and he will no doubt line up the same as he did at Stamford Bridge.

The game can erupt in the second half, but by then we've hopefully banked the win. Good luck if you're following.

TIP: First half draw at 7/5 with BetMGM.

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