The Europa League, Europe’s secondary club competition, has always been overshadowed by the Champions League. However, this season has seen the competition rise in prestige, with some fantastic games and the participation of some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
One of the most memorable moments of the knockout playoff round was the two classic games between Manchester United and Barcelona, with the Red Devils prevailing 4-3 on aggregate. Other notable teams to reach the last 16 include Juventus, Roma, and Sevilla. Arsenal, who won their Europa League group, did not feature in the playoff round.
The draw for the Europa League last 16 will take place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday morning at 11:00 GMT. Fans across Europe will be eagerly tuning in to find out their next Thursday night opponents.
We have used a simulator to predict the ties that could be dealt in the last 16. If the draw throws up as many exciting matches as our simulator has, fans across Europe are in for a real treat.
Arsenal and Manchester United are both top teams from the same territory, and therefore cannot be drawn against each other. However, both teams have been given tough assignments in their bid for European football. Erik ten Hag, Ajax’s manager, has joked with Robin van Persie that he would consult the former Dutch striker if United draw Feyenoord. “If we draw Feyenoord, I know who to go to for all the information!” he said.
Arsenal, who qualified as group winners, will face Europa League specialists Sevilla. Los Nervionenses have won Europe’s secondary competition six times, including recent triumphs in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2020.
Juventus, who managed to avoid a scare against Nantes with a 3-0 away win, will play against Hungarian side Ferencvaros. Juve faced Ferencvaros during the 2020/21 Champions League group stage, winning both matches 4-1 and 2-1.
The last 16 games in the 2022/23 Europa League are scheduled to be played on 9 and 16 March. The eight group stage winners are seeded, and the playoff victors are unseeded.
Overall, this year’s Europa League has seen some thrilling games and big clubs competing, and the last 16 promises to be just as exciting. Fans can expect some closely contested matches, with each team vying for a place in the quarter-finals.
