Get Ready for the UEFA Europa League Knockout Playoff Draw
The excitement is building as we approach the draw for the knockout playoff round of the revamped UEFA Europa League. This is a pivotal moment for the teams involved, as the draw will determine their paths in the competition. But who exactly is participating in this draw, and why are the league phase positions so crucial? Let’s dive into the details and find out how this all works.
When and Where is the Draw Happening?
Mark your calendars! The draw for the knockout playoff round is scheduled for Friday at 7 a.m. ET / midday U.K. time. It will take place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. This is where the fate of many teams will be decided, and fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see who their favorite clubs will face.
Which Teams Are in the Draw?
Only the 16 teams that finish in positions 9 to 24 in the league phase will be part of this draw. The top eight teams have already secured their spots in the round of 16, bypassing this stage entirely. Unfortunately, the clubs finishing in positions 25 to 36 are eliminated from the competition.
Why Do League Positions Matter?
The league positions are more important than ever because they determine the knockout bracket. Unlike previous seasons, where open draws were the norm, this year’s format sets paths based on league standings. The new “seeding” system ensures that the highest-placed teams won’t face each other until the later stages of the knockout round.
For example, if we look at the current standings, Lazio and Eintracht Frankfurt are in first and second place, respectively. They won’t meet each other until the final. Similarly, the teams in third and fourth positions—currently Athletic Club and Manchester United—can’t face Lazio and Eintracht Frankfurt until the semifinals.
Interestingly, finishing in seventh or eighth place could lead to a tougher path than finishing 11th or 12th. This is because the former would mean facing the first or second-placed teams in the quarterfinals, while the latter positions avoid this until the semifinals, albeit with an extra round to play.
How Does the Knockout Draw Work?
The knockout playoff round draw pairs teams based on their final league positions. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:
- Teams are paired by their final position (e.g., 9 and 10, 11 and 12, etc.).
- Each pair is drawn into opposite halves of the bracket, meaning they can’t face each other until the final.
- Before the draw, paired teams have two possible opponents. For instance, Union St.-Gilloise (15th) and Ajax (16th) could face either PAOK (17th) or Real Sociedad (18th).
- The eight unseeded teams are drawn first, starting with 23rd and 24th, moving down to 17th and 18th.
- The seeded clubs will play the second leg at home.
In this format, there’s no country protection, meaning clubs from the same country can face each other from the knockout playoff round onward. It’s also possible to draw one of the eight teams you’ve already faced, including recent opponents from Matchday 8.
Key Dates for the Knockout Playoff Round
Here are the important dates to remember for the knockout playoff round:
First legs: Feb. 13
Second legs: Feb. 20
What About the Top Eight Clubs?
After the knockout playoff round draw, the top eight teams will still have four possible opponents. For instance, third-placed Athletic Club and sixth-placed Manchester United could face any of the teams in 13th, 14th, 19th, or 20th positions (Rangers, AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Elfsborg). This is because they could be drawn into either half of the bracket, but only into specific paths for those fixtures.
Once the knockout playoff round is complete, and two of those clubs have been knocked out, Athletic and Manchester United would have two possible opponents remaining: the winners of the knockout playoff round ties.
When is the Round of 16 Draw?
The round of 16 draw is set for Friday, Feb. 21. At this point, Athletic and Manchester United would be drawn into opposite halves of the bracket, creating a fixture against one of the winners of the ties involving Rangers, AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, or Elfsborg. The teams placed first to eighth are seeded and will play the second leg at home.
First legs: March 6
Second legs: March 13
The knockout bracket is now set through to the final.
Who Gets Home Advantage in the Later Rounds?
There will be one more draw, immediately after the round of 16 is set, to determine the home teams for the second leg in the quarterfinals and semifinals. This draw is not based on league phase seeding, adding another layer of unpredictability to the competition.
Originally Written by: Dale Johnson
