The 2018-19 Europa League has turned the page on the group stage action and now looks ahead to February with the knockout round draw having been completed. While it's no future Europa League 2, the competition still comes with a major trophy, a spot in the Champions League and features more variety amongst the clubs that will challenge for the title.
The Round of 32 includes the top two teams from each group, as well as third-place teams from the Champions League. Outside of TV revenue, there isn't really a reason to bring in new clubs to the competition at this point, but nevertheless, welcome in Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Napoli, Galatasaray, Benfica, Valencia and more.
Europa League Draw 2018-19
The Two London Giants Learn Their Next Hurdle
Arsenal and Chelsea want to avoid the Europa League. Preferably they'll do this by finishing in the top four in the Premier League, but if necessary then by winning this competition. Chelsea is listed as the second favorite at the moment by FiveThirtyEight, but Arsenal has a new manager, which has won the trophy three times.
Chelsea drew a tie with Malmo FF, the club that began the Zlatan legacy. Meanwhile, Arsenal will face a former Europa group stage foe in BATE Borisov, representing Belarus.
Both London teams should progress easily after this lucky draw. The draw wasn't as kind to a few of Europe's other big names still in this year's competition.
Best Match-up From The Round of 32
Most of the attention will go to the Premier League clubs, but there are several entertaining matchups in the first knockout round. Benfica vs. Galatasaray (Champions League pairing), Sporting CP vs. Villarreal and Celtic vs. Valencia are all great options.
But I'm going with Lazio vs. Sevilla. Sevilla is the record Europa League / UEFA Cup holders winning the competition five times, include three straight from 2013-14 through 2015-16. In LaLiga this season, Sevilla is currently second, three points behind Barcelona. Lazio has never claimed this European trophy, but is still holding pace in Serie A for a Champions League place. Can this Italian side knockout the perennial favorite?
Looking For An Upset?
FC Krasnodar represents the Rusian Premier League and is in the Europa League thanks to a fourth-place finish in its domestic season last year. In group play it finished second, tied on points with Sevilla for the top, but behind by a significant goal difference. Krasnodar only lost twice, both on the road, and didn't allow more than a goal per game at home.
Krasnodar will host Bayer 04 Leverkusen and if it can keep a clean sheet it should have a chance to pull the upset. Leverkusen currently sits 11th in the Bundesliga, having given up 27 domestic goals. It played in a very light group, splitting results with its only competition, FC Zurich.
Europa League action returns with the Round of 32 kicking off Feb. 12 and concluding Feb. 21.
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