Form ‘not important’ for Europa, says Jesus

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus feels there should be little emphasis placed on the respective domestic form of his side and Newcastle’s in the build-up to tonight’s Europa League quarter-final first-leg meeting in Lisbon.

Jesus’ team are the runaway Portuguese Liga leaders and are yet to lose a league game this season.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are 15th in the Premier League, three points above the relegation zone, and head into tonight’s contest having lost four of their last six top-flight fixtures.