NEWCASTLE
Krul
Simpson, Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Gutierrez
Cabaye, Anita
Marveaux, Sissoko, Gouffran
Cisse
BENFICA
Arthur
Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo
Matic, Martins
John, Lima, Gaitan
Cardozo
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew faces a lengthy absentee list ahead of Thursday's crunch Europa League clash, with Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), Mathier Debuchy (cup-tied), Davide Santon (hip), Cheikh Tiote (hamstring) and Haris Vuckic (knee) all set to miss the game.
Elsewhere, long-term absentee Ryan Taylor is targeting a return in time for the derby game against Sunderland on Sunday, but Fabricio Coloccini and Massadio Haidara are for a place on the bench against the Portuguese outfit after suffering from back and knee strains respectively.
Benfica boss Jorge Jesus faces very few injury worries ahead of the return leg, with Eduardo Salvio remaining a doubt after picking up a knee problem shortly prior to the first leg between the two sides.
DID YOU KNOW?
Newcastle have beaten Metalist Kharkiv and Anzhi Makhachkala in the knockout stages so far, both by a solitary 1-0 aggregate scoreline.
Papiss Cisse has now scored four goals in the 90th minute this season after his last-gasp winner against Fulham.
The Senegal striker, along with Shola Ameobi, is the Magpies' top scorer in the Europa League with three goals each.
Alan Pardew's side have conceded just once at home in six games in the competition this term - that goal coming during the 1-1 draw with Maritimo in November.
Oscar Cardozo is Benfica's top goalscorer this year with 28 goals, six of which have come in Europe.
The Portuguese outfit have scored 107 goals so far this season in all competitons.
They currently sit four points clear ahead of Porto at the top of the domestic league and are unbeaten in 25 games since the start of the season.
Jorge Jesus' side have won their last eight games in a row going into the clash.
Benfica's last five quarter-finals against English opposition have all resulted in elimination.
Newcastle and Benfica are 14/1 to draw 2-2 with Coral.
Prediction
Stopping the visitors from scoring is going to prove Newcastle's biggest task, with their free-flowing opponents posing a constant threat on the break with the clinical figure of Cardozo up front. They may have to throw caution to the wind, though, with a two-goal deficit to overturn - so expect a game full of goals, but also broken hearts for the English side.
Editor's Prediction
Newcastle United 2-2 Benfica
