After ending their pre-season tour of Austria with a 1-0 defeat against Mainz 05, Newcastle jetted back to the North East before quickly heading out to Portugal for another training camp.
Saturday saw The Magpies get the better of two Burnley XIs in a behind closed doors practice session which involved two sets of XIs playing against each other at the same time on different pitches.
But tonight is sure to provide arguably Newcastle’s toughest test of pre-season so far with Champions League quarter-finalists Benfica the hosts and the Eusebio Cup on the line.
Eddie Howe has made seven changes to the side that were beaten 1-0 against Mainz with Martin Dubravka, Paul Dummett and Ryan Fraser all missing out.
9. Miguel Almiron - 9
Came close to giving Newcastle the lead inside the opening four minutes. Looked full of confidence as he brought the ball forward and grabbed an equaliser from close range. Equalised again on the stroke of half-time with a tidy finish. Has been like a new signing this pre-season with six goals to his name, an average of one every 44 minutes. Photo: Ian MacNicol
10. Allan Saint-Maximin - 7
Got on the ball and posed a threat in possession. Dragged an edge-of-the-box effort wide of the left post after cutting inside. | Getty Images
11. Callum Wilson - 6
Showed good strength and power to lead the line on his own. Had a decent chance to give Newcastle the lead but the offside flag went up. Photo: Stu Forster
12. Karl Darlow - 6
On for Pope 46: Was alert to come off his line and stop Benfica taking the lead in the second half. Photo: Ian MacNicol