Europa League permutations: Man Utd, Spurs and Rangers knockout stage opponents revealed

Europa league Road to Bilbao: Who’s Through and Who’s next?

The excitement is building as the Europa League enters its knockout stages, with the race to lift the trophy in Bilbao heating up.

The group stage is complete, and several familiar faces from the Premier League have advanced, setting the stage for intriguing clashes in the weeks to come. But who are the favorites, who are the dark horses, and what can we expect from this thrilling competition?

To get the inside scoop, we spoke with football analyst Alex Crowe, who offers his expert insights on the remaining contenders and provides predictions for the knockout rounds.

## When’s the Draw and What’s the Format?

the draw for the Europa League knockout round play-offs takes place on [insert date], with the first legs scheduled for [insert dates] and the return legs for [insert dates]. The format for the knockout rounds is a standard two-legged affair, with the aggregate score determining the winner.

## Knockout Stages: The Road to Bilbao

The Europa League knockout stages are a gauntlet of high-stakes matches, with every encounter carrying immense importance.

The knockout round play-offs will see the eight teams who finished third in their Champions League groups compete against the eight group winners from the europa League. The victors of thes ties will then progress to the round of 16, where they’ll face the eight teams who topped their Europa League groups.

From ther, it’s a straight knockout format, with quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately, the grand final in Bilbao on [insert date].

## Who’s Through and Who Could They Face?

Several Premier League giants have already secured their place in the knockout rounds, setting up potential clashes against some formidable European opposition.

here’s a look at some of the standout teams who are already through:

Manchester United (Ranked No. 3):
Tottenham (Ranked No. 4):
* Rangers (Ranked No. 8):

These teams,along with several other strong contenders,will now face off in the knockout round play-offs,with the potential for exciting matchups and unpredictable results.

## Dark Horses to Watch

Given Alex Crowe’s prediction of Fenerbahçe and Bodø/Glimt as dark horses, we asked him about other potential underdogs who could make a surprising run.

“Fenerbahçe have been playing well, and Bodø/Glimt are a team that has consistently punched above their weight in European competitions,” Crowe said. “But don’t rule out teams like [insert potential dark horse teams] who could cause some upsets.”

## Predictions and Analysis

Alex Crowe’s insights into the europa League knockout stages are invaluable for anyone looking to get a deeper understanding of the competition.

“Manchester United and Tottenham have the quality to go all the way,” Crowe stated. “But the knockout stages are unpredictable, and any team can be beaten on their day.”

He went on to emphasize the importance of home advantage, tactical adaptability, and a bit of luck in navigating the challenging path to the final.

As the Europa League knockout stages unfold, one thing is certain: the competition will be fierce, the drama will be intense, and the fans will be treated to some thrilling football.

The Europa League group stage has concluded, setting the stage for an exciting journey to the 2024/25 final in bilbao. Manchester United,Tottenham Hotspur,and Rangers have all advanced to the knockout rounds,facing formidable challenges ahead.

Rangers, defying expectations to secure eighth place, will now battle it out against one of Anderlecht, bodø/Glimt, Fenerbahçe, or Twente in the round of 16.Their qualification was hard-fought, narrowly escaping a late comeback attempt by Union SG in a testament to their resilience.

Manchester united,powered by the electric energy of Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo,secured third place with a decisive 2-0 victory over Steaua bucharest. This direct path to the last 16 pits them against a tough opponent: Real Sociedad,Galatasaray,AZ alkmaar,or Midtjylland await on March 6th and 13th.

Tottenham, meanwhile, continued their winning streak with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Elfsborg. Now, they gear up to face a formidable opponent in the round of 16, vying against Midtjylland, AZ Alkmaar, Real Sociedad, or Olympiakos.

There’s a special treat for fans: due to the draw format, both Spurs and Manchester United cannot meet until the final. The stage is set for a potential all-English showdown in Bilbao.

When’s the Draw and What’s the Format?

The Europa League play-off draw will take place on Friday, January 31st, at approximately 12 am UK and Irish time. You can catch all the action live on Sky Sports digital and the Sky Sports App from 10:30 am.

The play-off round features teams finishing 9th to 16th in the group stage, paired against unseeded teams finishing 17th to 24th. The seeded teams enjoy the advantage of a home game in the second leg.

Knockout Stages: The road to Bilbao

• Play-Offs: February 13th and 20th (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
• Round of 16: March 6th & 13th (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
• Quarter-Finals: April 10th & 17th (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
• Semi-Finals: May 1st & 8th (Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
• final: May 21st, 2025, at Estadio de San Mames, bilbao, Spain

Who’s Through and Who Could They Face?

Manchester United (Ranked No 3)

Europa League Road to Bilbao: An Analyst’s Preview

The excitement is building as the Europa League knockout stages are about to commence. we sat down with renowned football analyst Alex Crowe to get his insights on the contenders and potential dark horses vying for the trophy in Bilbao this May.

With three English teams – Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Rangers – still in the hunt, the Premier League is well-represented in this season’s competition.

“It’s fantastic to see three Premier League sides still in the running,” Alex Crowe stated. “Manchester United have been finding their rhythm, and the emergence of young talents like garnacho and Diallo adds another dimension to their attack, which could prove crucial in the knockout stages.”

Tottenham Hotspur, under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, have been a formidable force this season. “They are playing with a swagger and confidence that can’t be ignored,” Crowe remarked. “They are a real threat and shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Rounding out the trio is Rangers.

Crowe believes Rangers have been exceeding expectations.

“They’ve defied the odds and proven themselves capable of competing at this level,” he noted. “The atmosphere at Ibrox will be electric, and they’ll be looking to make the most of home advantage.”

Beyond the Premier League contenders, alex Crowe has identified a couple of underdog teams that have the potential to spring a surprise in the knockouts:

“Fenerbahçe and Bodø/Glimt are both dark horses who could make a notable impact,” Crowe predicted. “they’ve shown resilience and tactical prowess throughout the group stage, and are capable of upsetting some of the bigger names.”

English Hopes Soar High in the Europa League

The Europa League is heating up, and English teams are poised to make a serious run for the title. Manchester United, after a thrilling victory against Union SG, are eager to add another chapter to their storied European history. Meanwhile, Tottenham, fueled by their recent Premier League form, are also aiming for silverware.

The prospect of an all-English final is certainly tantalizing. “It’s definitely a possibility! The draw format avoids them meeting before the final,” says an expert, highlighting the intriguing path that awaits. “But, there are numerous other competitive sides to contend with. The knockout rounds are unpredictable, frequently enough bringing surprises. Every game will be a battle.”

Among the teams standing in their way, Lazio and Real Sociedad are considered formidable opponents. Lazio’s tactical prowess and experience in European competition,combined with Real Sociedad’s fluid passing game and attacking flair,make them genuine threats. Past champions like Frankfurt, known for their consistency on the European stage, must also be reckoned with.

However, the Europa League is renowned for its unexpected twists and turns, and a few dark horses could shake things up. Fenerbache, brimming with confidence and quality, could surprise many. And Bodø/Glimt, a team with a history of giant-killing feats, is always a dangerous opponent. They could pull off a few upsets and challenge the favorites along the way.

Who do you think will emerge victorious from the thrilling battles ahead? Will an English team finally lift the Europa League trophy? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!