The Europa League has reached a pivotal stage as the group stages conclude, paving the way for exciting matchups in the knockout phase. Teams like Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Rangers are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling journey ahead.
Who Will Face Who in the Knockout Stage?
After a nail-biting finish, Rangers secured their spot in the round of 16 and are set to face tough opponents such as Anderlecht, Bodø/Glimt, Fenerbahçe, or Twente. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s impressive performance earned them a direct ticket to the last 16, where they will square off against the likes of Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar, or Midtjylland. On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur will be facing a competitive lineup including Midtjylland, AZ Alkmaar, Real Sociedad, or Olympiakos in the next round.
An interesting twist in the draw structure dictates that Spurs and Manchester United are on a collision course towards a potential final showdown, but they cannot meet until the final match.
When and How Will the Knockout Stages Unfold?
The Europa League draw for the play-offs is scheduled for Friday, January 31, at around 12 am UK and Irish time. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports App starting from 10:30 am. The draw format will see teams seeded based on their league rankings, with matchups between seeded and unseeded teams determining the course of the tournament.
The knockout stages are set to be a rollercoaster ride, with the play-offs occurring over two legs on the weekdays of February 13 and 20. Following this, the last-16 games will take place on March 6, with the return legs scheduled for March 13. The subsequent rounds will be played on April 10, April 17, May 1, May 8, culminating in the grand finale on May 21, 2025, at the Estadio de San Mames in Bilbao, Spain.
Who Are the Contenders and Who Has Advanced?
As the dust settles, the stage is set for fierce competition among top teams in the Europa League. Lazio, Bilbao, Manchester United, Tottenham, Frankfurt, Lyon, Olympiakos, and Rangers have all secured their spots in the round of 16. Meanwhile, other teams such as Bodø/Glimt, Anderlecht, Steaua, Ajax, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Roma, Plzen, and more are gearing up for the knockout phase play-offs.
Unfortunately, the journey has come to an end for teams like Braga, IF Elfsborg, Hoffenheim, Besiktas, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv, and several others who have been eliminated from the competition.
As the Europa League heats up, football enthusiasts around the globe are eagerly anticipating the exhilarating matchups and unexpected twists that this prestigious tournament has to offer. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds, and the race for European glory intensifies.
