This is an important week for UEFA competitions. Champions League has already wrapped its League Phase, and today, Thursday January 30, it's time for Europa League. Knowing that results in one match can indirectly affect another team, all games will be played at the same time.
You probably know it by now, but here's a refresher: teams in the top 8 will get direct qualification to the round of 16. So far, the only team that has mathematically secured its place in the round of 16 is Lazio, although others like Frankfurt, Athletic Bilbao, Lyon and Manchester United have high chances.
Then, teams ranked between 9 and 24 will have to play a knockout play-off. And this is the interesting part, because there are still 15 teams, those ranked between 16 and 29, that haven't yet secured their place in the top 24, and therefore will fight for their life tonight.
As explained, all games take place tonight at 21:00 CET, 20:00 in UK time. Manchester United, fourth, will face FCSB, eighth. The winner would secure their place in the top 8 and could push the other out of the top, to the play-off. So far, Manchester United, despite their poor run in the Premier League, is still unbeaten in Europe.
Right after the games end at around 22:50 CET, the final table will be available, with the potential brackets before the draw, that takes place tomorrow Friday. In the meantime, you can use the result simulator to see it change in real time...