Perhaps the biggest surprise for the away side is that Joselu has been given the nod up front. The Spanish striker has struggled for form and goals in his time at St James' Park, but Benitez has kept the faith.
In his press conference on Friday he suggested that Salomon Rondon was not yet ready to play 90 minutes, and with Joselu scoring last week he has earned his spot.
Elsewhere, Javier Manquillo comes in at right back for the injured DeAndre Yedlin - the American damaged his knee in last week's game against Tottenham.
Josh Murphy starts for Cardiff, but twin brother Jacob has had to settle for a place on the Newcastle bench. The two could become the first ever set of identical twins to play against each other in the Premier League.
Zohore gets the nod up front while new signing Harry Arter will slot in in centre midfield.
Full lineups:
Cardiff: Etheridge, Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett, Camarasa, Ralls, Arter, Hoilett, Murphy, Zohore
Newcastle: Dubravka, Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy, Joselu