"Matchday three action in the Champions League is upon us. It may seem a tad early but teams may be starting to look at their position in the table after this week and wonder if they will get enough points on the board to qualify for the knockouts. Some intriguing matchups tonight will certainly help us Jose Mourinho is back on British shores three weeks after Benfica's narrow loss at Chelsea."
"Since then, the Portuguese outfit managed a goalless draw at Benfica and a 2-0 win at the second-tier side Chaves in the Taca de Portugal. Can they keep Newcastle and Nick Woltemade side at bay in front of a bouncing St James' Park? Plus Pep Guardiola's men head to Villarreal with the hopes of righting some wrongs after a 2-2 draw against Monaco last time out in the competition."
Matchday three of the Champions League features key fixtures that can shape group qualification after two games. Newcastle hosts Benfica at St James' Park with Mourinho returning to British shores; Benfica recorded a goalless draw and a 2-0 Taca de Portugal win recently. Manchester City travel to Villarreal aiming to recover from a 2-2 draw with Monaco and secure vital group points. Lineups include Haaland, Doku and Savinho for City and Pepe and Mikautadze for Villarreal; Newcastle field Gordon and Woltemade against Benfica's Sudakov and Lukebakio. Referees named include Serdar Gozubuyuk and Szymon Marciniak.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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