Who Tottenham will face in the Europa League round of 16 knockout stage
Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up for a crucial stage in their Europa League campaign, with the ultimate goal of lifting the coveted trophy in Bilbao this May. The round of 16 draw will soon reveal their next opponents, as well as their potential path through the latter stages of the competition.
Ange Postecoglou’s side, having secured a top-eight finish in the league phase, earned automatic qualification for this round and now await the results of the two-legged knockout phase play-offs to learn their fate.
The Europa League format determines the pairings for the round of 16 based on the original league positions. According to UEFA’s guidelines, teams that finished first and second in the league phase face the winners of knockout ties involving lower-ranked teams, while those in third and fourth place, like Tottenham, are drawn against winners from slightly higher-ranked matchups.
As a result, Tottenham and Manchester United, who finished third, are set to face one of Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar, Real Sociedad, or Midtjylland. Heading into the second legs of the knockout play-offs, AZ Alkmaar and Real Sociedad hold the advantage, making them the more likely opponents for Spurs.
The round of 16 will commence on March 6, with the return legs scheduled for March 13. As a seeded team, Tottenham will host the second leg at home, a potential advantage as they aim to secure progression to the quarter-finals.
Beyond this, the draw will also outline the path for the quarter-finals, set for April 10 and 17, and the semi-finals, scheduled for May 1 and 8. By the end of the draw, teams will have a clear picture of their route to the final at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao on May 21.
The tournament’s structure ensures that Tottenham and Manchester United, both representing England, cannot meet before the final.
This creates an intriguing possibility of an all-English showdown for the trophy, provided both sides navigate their respective brackets successfully. Such a scenario would undoubtedly add extra excitement to the competition’s climax.
Fans eagerly anticipate the draw, which will take place at midday at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. It follows the Champions League draw and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, offering supporters the opportunity to witness the shaping of the next phase of their team’s Europa League journey.
Tottenham’s impressive performance in the league phase has set them up well for this stage, and the team will look to build on that momentum.
With Postecoglou at the helm, Spurs aim to bring European glory back to North London and cap off their season with silverware. As the draw unfolds, all eyes will be on their potential matchups and the challenges that lie ahead in their quest for the Europa League title.