Newcastle go into this weekend in the Premier League bottom three, only spared the ignominy of being rock bottom on goal difference.
This weekend, the Magpies host Leicester, looking for their first win of the season.
But where will the match be decided? We’ve picked out three key duels that will shape the contest…
Jamaal Lascelles vs Jamie Vardy
Newcastle will be looking to get on the front foot in pursuit of that first victory of the season; but the pace of Vardy in between will ensure Benitez keeps his team alert at the back.
Lascelles has not quite been at his best this season and livewire Vardy is always a huge threat. If the Newcastle skipper can keep his man quiet, it would give the Magpies a platform on which to go and win the game.
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Jonjo Shelvey vs James Maddison
Riyad Mahrez’s departure left a creative burden at the King Power Stadium; Maddison has picked it up.
Newcastle do not field a specialist holding midfielder so the onus will be on Shelvey and his midfield partner Mo Diame to get on top of Maddison.
The English starlet’s free-kick last weekend showed exactly what he can do; Newcastle must keep him quiet.
Matt Ritchie vs Ben Chilwell
Chilwell has well and truly ousted Christian Fuchs as Leicester’s first-choice left-back and impressed enough to get in the England squad against Switzerland.
Ritchie is one of Benitez’s main creative weapons and he will be hoping to test the inexperienced Englishman.
This one may be a game of cat and mouse as Chilwell loves to bomb forward and support the attack.