As in the Champions League the day before, there will be no calculations in the Europa League either. It will be open, attacking, with the strongest teams, all of which promises that the audience in stadiums across the continent will have a lot to watch.From the beginning of the competition, it was clear that we would have a new champion, as Atalanta is playing in the Champions League, and who will be the successor, or who will secure the final ticket for the match at San Mames in Bilbao, is hard to say, at least for now.18 games simultaneously today 🤩#UEL pic.twitter.com/u3pl1zQdhf— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) January 30, 2025 DIRECT QUALIFICATION TO THE ROUND OF 16- The most successful team in the previous part of the competition was Lazio, who earned 19 out of a possible 21 points. Therefore, the Romans are the only team that, ahead of tonight’s clash in Braga, can say they have secured their place in the Round of 16, meaning they will have a round off before the competition continues.Lazio’s Europa League campaign:✅ 1st place✅ Unbeaten✅ +13 goal difference✅ Qualified for the top 8 Marco Baroni’s team is flying 🦅 pic.twitter.com/OHhuaySyUl— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) January 23, 2025 QUALIFICATION FOR THE KNOCKOUT STAGE OF THE EUROPA LEAGUE- According to calculations, another 14 teams are guaranteed a place at least in the play-off round. These teams are Manchester United, Tottenham, Rangers, Anderlecht, Athletic Bilbao, AZ Alkmaar, Bodo Glimt, Eintracht Frankfurt, Steaua, Galatasaray, Lyon, Olympiacos, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Viktoria Plzen. They will fight for the seven remaining direct spots in the Round of 16, while the other seven will have to play in the play-off round.WHO IS STILL FIGHTING FOR A PLACE IN THE PLAY-OFF?- Ajax is fighting for a spot in the play-off, but has no chance of making it to the Top 8, as they are currently four points behind eighth-placed Steaua. Alongside the Amsterdam team, the following teams will fight for a place in the play-off round: PAOK, Sociedad, Midtjylland, Elfsborg, Roma, Ferencvaros, Fenerbahce, Besiktas, Porto, Twente, Braga, Hoffenheim, and Maccabi Tel Aviv.Son’s brace for Tottenham’s Top 8THEY HAVE SAID GOODBYE TO FURTHER COMPETITION- The European story for this season has ended for seven teams. RFS Rigas, Slavia Prague, Malmo, Ludogorets, Qarabag, Nice, and Dynamo Kyiv performed the weakest in the previous group stage and are ranked from 30th to 36th place with no chances of progressing.IT WILL EXPLODE IN ALL DIRECTIONSIn the preview, we have several truly exciting matches. Manchester United will visit Steaua in Bucharest, and if they want to remain in the Top 8, they must win or at least draw, hoping that the results of other clubs will go in their favor. A victory for the Romanians would also secure their direct qualification to the Round of 16.Additionally, big thrills are expected in Rome, where the winner of the competition from three seasons ago, Eintracht Frankfurt, will visit Roma. While the Germans are fighting to secure a spot among the top eight, Roma will be battling to secure their place in the knockout stage, which will not be easy for them.The two Istanbul clubs’ away games will also be interesting. Fenerbahce, coached by Jose Mourinho, and Besiktas, led by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, are both fighting for a spot in the knockout stage. Fenerbahce will visit Midtjylland, while Besiktas faces a challenge in the Netherlands against Twente.Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!THE DRAW IS ON FRIDAY AT 3 PMThe top eight teams after the group stage will directly advance to the Round of 16 and will be seeded. They will await the eight winners from the play-off round, which will involve teams ranked 9th to 24th.Teams ranked 9th to 16th will be seeded and will face teams ranked 17th to 24th, with the seeded teams having the advantage of being the home side in the second leg.San Mamés 😍#UEL pic.twitter.com/JnFtle4gzh— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) January 29, 2025 The play-off matches for a spot in the Round of 16 are scheduled for February 13 and 20, while the Round of 16 will take place on March 6 and 13. The quarter-finals will be played on April 10 and 17, the semi-finals on May 1 and 8, and the final will be held on May 21 in Bilbao.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 8Thursday 23.00: (2.40) Ajax (3.70) Galatasaray (2.95)23.00: (2.35) Anderlecht (3.50) Hoffenheim (2.95)23.00: (1.60) Ath.Bilbao (3.90) Plzen (6.00)23.00: (2.25) Braga (3.50) Lazio (3.35)23.00: (1.85) Dynamo Kyiv (3.50) Rigas (4.40)23.00: (6.00) FCSB (3.90) Man.Utd. (1.60)23.00: (2.50) Ferencvaros (3.35) AZ Alkmaar (3.05)23.00: (6.50) Maccabi T.A. (4.30) Porto (1.50)23.00: (3.80) Midtjylland (3.60) Fenerbahce (2.05)23.00: (2.60) Nice (3.60) Bodo (2.55)23.00: (1.30) Olympiakos (5.50) Qarabag (10.0)23.00: (1.23) Olympique Lyon (6.50) Ludogorets (12.0)23.00: (2.30) Rangers (3.50) St.Gilloise (3.25)23.00: (1.75) Roma (3.70) Eintr.Frankfurt (5.40)23.00: (1.65) Slavia Praha (3.80) Malmo (5.40)23.00: (1.57) Sociedad (4.20) PAOK (6.75)23.00: (1.25) Tottenham (7.00) Elfsborg (12.0)23.00: (2.05) Twente (3.60) Besiktas (3.80)***odds are subject to change***
