Chelsea play Copenhagen in Convention League; Man Utd face Sociedad in Europa League – reside | Soccer

Chelsea have been drawn towards FC Copenhagen within the Europa Convention League final 16.

Europa League draw and dates

Everton at the moment are above Manchester United within the desk. Who’d have thought that a number of weeks in the past.

Right here’s Ben McAleer of WhoScored on why Everton’s resolution to vary managers halfway by way of the season is understanding quite a bit higher than United’s. The 2 sides play one another in Saturday’s 12.30pm fixture.

West Ham are focusing on a striker nonetheless concerned within the Champions League – Lille frontman Jonathan David. A bid for Lazy Line Painter Jane might observe.

For some context, that is what the bookmakers suppose following the Champions League draw. The 2 Spanish giants head the betting. Liverpool and Arsenal come subsequent.

10/3 Actual Madrid, 9/2 Barcelona, 11/2 Liverpool, Arsenal, 7/1 Bayern Munich, 12/1 PSG, Inter, 20/1 Atletico Madrid, 33/1 Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, 50/1 Borussia Dormund, 66/1 Benfica, 100/1 Lille, 150/1 Membership Brugge, PSV, 200/1 Feyenoord.

Whereas Chelsea await their Tin Pot draw, boss Enzo Maresca is extra involved with getting a spot at Europe’s high desk once more. The Italian reckons successful all their remaining seven house video games ought to do the trick and safe a return to the Champions League. Good luck with that on condition that they’ve gained solely 50% of their top-flight matches at Stamford Bridge this season.

“Now we have 13 video games to go and 7 of them are at house,” stated Maresca. “I believe that successful the seven at house may be sufficient to complete high 4.

“The troublesome second that we’ve got now might be due to the harm scenario. Now we have 5, six gamers which can be vital gamers which can be out. I watched once more the primary sport towards Villa (a 3-0 win in December) and we’ve got 5 gamers most likely which can be out. The workforce has modified utterly.

“I’ve been clear since day one. I’m not right here to outlive, I’m right here to win video games. I’m right here to deliver this membership to struggle for titles. The issue is that once you win video games you look humble, and once you don’t win you appear to be an absence of ambition.

“I’m bold. The membership is bold. Now we have the identical supervisor and similar gamers and similar sporting director as two months in the past after we had been second within the league. Nothing has modified, solely sadly that we’re coping with many accidents. This has affected the extent of the workforce.”

Noni Madueke is the most recent to be crocked and he could possibly be out till April with hamstring knack.

Kári Tulinius writes: “I suppose we might have a Spurs v Man Utd last, however given how each have been enjoying currently, that requires a variety of groups having a sequence of improbably unhealthy off days, beginning with AZ Alkmaar and Actual Sociedad, each of whom have been quite a bit higher this season.”

The Convention League draw is at 2pm. Unsure we’ll cowl that past telling you who Chelsea will play.

The ultimate is in Wroclaw, Poland on 28 Could.

Right here’s our story from Nick Ames on the Champions League draw which threw up Liverpool v PSG.

“Arne Slot’s aspect will host the second leg of their assembly with PSG at Anfield, giving them a possible benefit towards opponents who’ve clicked into type after a stuttering begin on this season’s competitors. PSG put 10 targets previous their home rivals Brest within the playoffs and completed the league part with spectacular wins over Manchester Metropolis and Stuttgart.”

A reminder of the Europa League dates…

Spherical of 16: 6 & 13 March
Quarter-finals: 10 & 17 April
Semi-finals: 1 & 8 Could
Closing: 21 Could (Bilbao)

So, digesting all that, we might have a Spurs v Man Utd last. And a Rangers v Man Utd semi.

And the semi-finals. First legs on left.

AZ Alkmaar/Tottenham/Ajax/Eintracht Frankfurt v BodoGlimt/Olympiakos/Viktoria Plzen/Lazio

Fenerbahce v Rangers v Roma/Athletic Bilbao v FCSB/Lyon v Actual Sociedad/Man Utd

Now the quarter-finals. First legs on left.

BodoGlimt/Olympiakos v Viktoria Plzen/Lazio
AZ Alkmaar/Tottenham v Ajax/Eintracht Frankfurt
Fenerbahce v Rangers v Roma/Athletic Bilbao
FCSB/Lyon v Actual Sociedad/Man Utd

And that leaves this…

Viktoria Plzen v Lazio
Roma v Athletic Bilbao

And now the Premier League duo…

AZ Alkmaar v Tottenham
Actual Sociedad v Man Utd

Subsequent up we’ve got…

Ajax v Eintracht Frankfurt
FCSB v Lyon

It’s the Europa League draw for the final 16. Let’s go! Swirl the balls!

Bodo/Glimt v Olympiakos
Fenerbahce v Rangers

They’re now displaying the brief explainer video. Put the kettle on, seize a Twix/Jive.

Former Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz is doing the draw for this one. Is sensible on condition that the ultimate is in Bilbao. Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers followers await their destiny.

The Europa League draw is arising quickly, people!

“When do the Europa League spherical of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals happen?” asks Neil from the moon.

Spherical of 16: 6 & 13 March 2025
Quarter-finals: 10 & 17 April 2025
Semi-finals: 1 & 8 Could 2025
Closing: 21 Could 2025 (Bilbao)

Right here’s our take a look at the weekend Premier League video games.

It contains Daniel Harris on Man Metropolis v Liverpool: “Ought to Liverpool win, it is going to be onerous to see them being caught, however ought to they falter, the sense that they’re an honest workforce making the most of serendipitous lapses elsewhere will compound. The query, although, is whether or not Metropolis are in a position to find their vitality and rhythm after a chastening expertise in Madrid.”

Again to home issues and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been talking forward of the Seagulls’ brief journey to bottom-placed Southampton on Saturday.

Brighton had been hammered 7-0 by Nottingham Forest however have gained 5 of their final seven matches in all competitions, together with a pair of victories towards Chelsea in league and FA Cup.

So can Brighton push for a European place? They’re at present tenth however simply two factors off eighth spot which might safe it.

Hurzeler stated: “Internally, we’ve got clear targets and clear imaginative and prescient. However it’s sport by sport. The Premier League and our season has proven issues go from right here to right here. We labored onerous for this momentum and it’s now about protecting that.

“After the loss to Forest, we tried to get again the depth from the beginning of the season. We misplaced this depth and vitality by way of the season so we stated we wish to return to our roots, again to the issues that made us robust

“We wish to be a workforce that may be very onerous to beat. We play towards Southampton however we additionally play towards ourselves and our limits. I demand from my workforce that we go together with this depth towards Chelsea, but in addition Southampton so we’ve got no distinction in our strategy.”

Champions League draw and dates

Extra response. Liverpool being shafted a bit appears a theme.

Ben Duxbury writes: “Hello Dave. There actually was no profit in ending high of the league stage was there? Villa and Arsenal significantly better attracts than Liverpool.”

Chris (a Liverpool fan): “So, if we get by way of all our video games we must (possibly) beat: PSG, Villa, Actual Madrid and Barcelona within the last. Prime seed my arse.”

Glynn from Leicester: “I’d like to know why they’ll’t simply put 16 names in a hat, FA Cup model. Why all of the chicanery? Solely a cynic would counsel that each little foible within the draw format, each little complication, is designed to assist hold the massive groups aside until the ‘proper’ time – however I’m not a cynic, so what can it probably be?”

Barry Mcauley: “I don’t suppose Barcelona might have given themselves a handier draw to the semi finals in the event that they’d have picked their potential opponents themselves.

Timo in Germany: “As a German I’ve to let you know although that Leverkusen towards Munich isn’t actually a derby when it comes to the groups being shut collectively because the cities are 287 miles aside. Perhaps I’m misunderstanding the time period derby since english is just not my first language, wherein case neglect about it.” Ah, sure, I sort of meant similar nation. It was me being clumsy!

One thing else from the draw. “The winners of the semi-final on the silver aspect of the bracket are designated because the nominal house workforce for the ultimate.”

I believe meaning Liverpool would play in crimson in the event that they took on Bayern or Barcelona within the last. Okay, we’re getting forward of ourselves right here.

Liverpool will most likely even be happy that they’ll’t play Actual Madrid within the last. That by no means goes nicely for the Reds, a minimum of in trendy, non-Alan Kennedy instances.

So, if I’ve received this proper, we will’t have an all-English last. Good, that by no means feels proper anyway. Liverpool v Spurs was a shocker.

And it doesn’t cease there. And now the house and away order for the semis.

Semi-final 1:

PSV/Arsenal/Actual Madrid/Atletico Madrid v PSG/Liverpool/Brugge/Aston Villa

Semi-final 2:

Benfica/Barcelona/Dortmund/Lille v Bayern/Leverkusen/Feyenoord/Inter

And now the quarter-final draw. Duos on the left play the primary leg at house.

PSG/Liverpool v Brugge/Aston Villa
PSV/Arsenal v Actual Madrid or Atletico Madrid
Benfica/Barcelona v Dortmund/Lille
Bayern/Leverkusen v Feyenoord/Inter

One other right here’s one other corker. Robust draw for Arne Slot’s aspect

PSG v Liverpool
Benfica v Barcelona

It’s Dutch opposition for the Gunners.

Arsenal v PSV
Feyenoord v Inter

Subsequent up, oof!!! A derby double!!

Atletico Madrid v Actual Madrid
Bayern Munich v Leverkusen

Let’s go. Balls are being swirled.
The primary workforce out are Villa.

Aston Villa v Brugge
Lille v Dortmund

“I hope the process is evident,” deadpans UEFA deputy normal secretary Giorgio Marchetti.

A video explains simply how the draw works. I used to be confused eight seconds in. It’ll be executed quickly.

Dwell scenes from Nyon present some males in fits watching soccer highlights. Giovane Elber, a former Champions League winner with Bayern, is the particular visitor. He appears to be like notably good.

Extra Champions League draw e-mails trickling in. Pleasure constructing.

Derek Duffy writes: “Hello David. I haven’t despatched you a query so thanks for not answering it.”

No probs.

Pedro notes: “I can’t assist however see that the league part high 8, alphabetically ordered, reveals that every one groups fall throughout the first half of the alphabet! I’m calling a conspiracy right here.”

We do know doable last-16 opponents a minimum of. So, for the Premier League groups we’ve got these both/or situations:

Arsenal – Feyenoord or PSV
Aston Villa – Membership Brugge or Dortmund
Liverpool – Benfica or PSG

Good grief. I’ve had some precise, actual emails.

A sensible one from Jason: “How rapidly will we all know fixture dates… have to ebook flight to Liverpool away sport however have to know if Tues or Wed match! Want quick fingers earlier than costs rocket!”

And a dose of actuality from krishnamoorthy v: “Don’t worry about lack of mails – we outdated faithfuls won’t ever allow you to down. Why hassle with this draw and the subsequent three months after we know Actual Madrid wins it anyway.”

The fake questions are nonetheless not pouring in. Marilyn from Keswick: “How does the spherical of 16 draw work?”

I’ve completely no concept, Marilyn. It’s simply waffle. So I’ll paste the official blurb from UEFA. Shrug emoji.

The golf equipment are paired primarily based on their positions on the finish of the league part to type 4 seeded pairs (golf equipment in positions 1 and a pair of, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and eight).

The golf equipment in every seeded pair are drawn into one in every of two positions within the spherical of 16 towards the related winner of the knockout part play-offs, whose place was decided by the knockout part play-off draw.

4 bowls are ready for the draw, with the balls containing the names of every pair of seeded groups positioned within the corresponding marked bowls in line with the league rankings.

The draw allocates the aspect of the bracket for all of the seeded groups, beginning with the groups ranked 7/8 and ending with the groups 1/2.

One ball is taken from the bowl containing the 2 related ranked groups (i.e. the groups ranked 7 and eight) and is opened to show the workforce. The primary workforce drawn from this bowl is positioned of their reserved spot on the silver aspect of the bracket (see bracket graphic beneath). The opposite seeded workforce of the pairing is then drawn and displayed, and allotted within the corresponding reserved spot on the blue aspect of the bracket (see beneath).

The identical process is carried out with the remaining seeded groups.

In precept, the seeded golf equipment play the return leg at house.

Ron from Carlisle hasn’t been in contact: “Can groups from the identical nation face one another within the Champions League spherical of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals?”

Sure Ron. And, get this, groups may even play towards different groups they got here up towards within the league part.

Bob from Plymouth now: “Hello Dave, when do the Champions League spherical of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals happen?”

Listed here are the dates, B-dog.

Spherical of 16: 4/5 & 11/12 March
Quarter-finals: 8/9 & 15/16 April
Semi-finals: 29/30 April & 6/7 Could
Closing: 31 Could (Munich)

Have a query concerning the Champions League draw? Utilizing a sequence of fictional individuals who haven’t written in, I’ll reply your imagined queries.

Terry from Bridgend writes (he doesn’t): “Hello Dave, you’re wanting nicely. Inform us the highest eight from the league please in alphabetical order please. And observe that with the unseeded play-off winners, once more alphabetically please.”

No probs Tezzer.

League part high eight
Arsenal (England)
Aston Villa (England)
Atletico Madrid (Spain)
Barcelona (Spain)
Inter (Italy)
Leverkusen (Germany)
Lille (France)
Liverpool (England)

Play-off winners
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Bayern München (Germany)
Benfica (Portugal)
Membership Brugge (Belgium)
Feyenoord (Netherlands)
Paris (France)
PSV (Netherlands)
Actual Madrid (Spain)

Let’s begin by setting the scene for the weekend Premier League motion. It begins tonight with Brentford travelling to Leicester so don’t neglect to switch Bryan Mbeumo again into your fantasy workforce.

Friday
8pm Leicester v Brentford

Saturday
12.30pm Everton v Man Utd
3pm Arsenal v West Ham
3pm Bournemouth v Wolves
3pm Fulham v Crystal Palace
3pm Ipswich v Spurs
3pm Southampton v Brighton
5.30pm Aston Villa v Chelsea

Sunday
2pm Newcastle v Nottingham Forest
4.30pm Man Metropolis v Liverpool

Preamble