West Ham will learn their opponents in the last 16 of the Europa League when the draw is made by UEFA on Friday.
West Ham and Liverpool fans will discover their knockout fate in the Europa League when the draw is held from 11am at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, today (Friday 23 February).
The Hammers and Liverpool – as well as Premier League rivals Brighton – have had a watching brief as 16 teams battled it out in a two-legged play-off over the last week for the right to potentially face them and five other group winners.
Group winners cannot be drawn against one another at this stage of the competition.
So West Ham would not be facing Liverpool or Brighton regardless.
But no side can face another team from the same national association at this stage anyway.
UEFA have caused some confusion ahead of the draw which would have made it more complex for West Ham than Liverpool.
Here’s the teams West Ham and Liverpool could face in the Europa League last 16 plus all the key draw details.
UEFA previously stated – and as has been the case previously in its competitions – that group winners cannot face the team who finished runners-up in their group at the last 16 stage.
That would mean West Ham cannot be drawn against Freiburg. And Brighton would not be drawn against Marseille.
UEFA said any draw restrictions will be announced before it takes place. So we await further clarity on that.
Liverpool will definitely be open to face any of the eight play-off round winners, though. That’s after Toulouse were beaten by Benfica.
West Ham could face any one of these seven sides and possibly Freiburg again if no restrictions are announced.
- AC Milan (ITA)
- Benfica (POR)
- Marseille (FRA)
- Qarabağ (AZE)
- Roma (ITA)
- Sparta Praha (CZE)
- Sporting CP (POR)
Liverpool can face any of the above but also Freiburg – who West Ham beat home and away in the group stage.
Brighton can face Freiburg and all of the above but may not face Marseille.
West Ham will be hoping the draw can reignite their ailing season.
While Liverpool and one of the other group winners Bayer Leverkusen are the clear favourites to win the competition.
There is a huge carrot dangling for West Ham and Liverpool fans in this year’s competition.
The final is being held in Dublin – promising to be one of the best away days ever.
When is the draw for the first UEFA Europa League round of 16?
Friday February 23 from 11am.
Is the Europa League round of 16 over two legs?
West Ham, Liverpool and Brighton will face their last 16 opposition over two legs, with the group winners at home in the second legs. Ties level after 180 minutes will go to extra time irrespective of the number of goals each team has scored at home and away. If the teams still cannot be separated after the additional 30 minutes, the tie goes to a penalty shoot-out.
When is the Europa League round of 16?
The first legs are scheduled for March 7, with the second legs at London Stadium, Anfield and the Amex a week later on March 14.
What happens next?
The winners of the eight ties will advance to the quarter-finals, with the draw for that round and the semi-finals scheduled for March 15.
Where can I watch the Europa League round of 16 draw?
The live stream will appear on UEFA’s official Europa League website via this link.
You can also watch the draw on TNT Sports and YouTube.
READ ALSO
West Ham snatch top executive from Premier League rivals Chelsea
Paqueta tipped for sensational return but West Ham won’t be happy
West Ham board send new message to fans about Moyes via reporter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
