Europa League last 16 draw

The draw was made earlier today and well it has thrown up some treats. The headline draw was probably Liverpool v Manchester United although a few other of the ties do look quiet tasty with Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham looking particularly good. So here it is in full with some predictions.

Shakhtar Donetsk v Anderlecht
Not an easy one to call especially after Thursday's conclusion of the last 32. Shakhtar surprised a few by sending Schalke out while Anderlecht were probably outsiders against Olympiacos. One thing Shakhtar will have that they missed against Schalke is competitive football. The Ukrainian league is back next weekend so they should be a bit more match sharp. Anderlecht are chasing Club Brugge and Gent at home and will no doubt be looking to emulate Club Brugge last season when they reached the last 8. I'm going to go for a Shakhtar victory here.

Basel v Sevilla
The final being played in Basel is motivation enough for the Swiss giants but they have been handed a tough assignment here. However I do think the feeling is mutual, Basel will be an awkward customer for Sevilla. Sevilla have serious pedigree in this competition and do look the stronger side on paper. However it will be closer than many think. Sevilla away goals.

Villarreal v Bayer Leverkusen
If Villarreal do go on to the latter stages of this competition they will do it the hard way. They got a particularly tough draw in the last round with Napoli and having edged out the Serie A title hopefuls they have been given Bayer Leverkusen. The Germans are regulars in the champions league but having dropped down this season they are another tricky side for the yellow submarine to navigate. Chicharito has been in fine form this season while Villarreal are having a tremendous season themselves. Not an easy one to call at all so here it goes for a Villarreal narrow victory.

Athletic v Valencia last season
source: getty

Athletic Bilbao v Valencia
Another all-La Liga affair in the last 16. Last season it was Villarreal v Sevilla, now its Athletic v Valencia. Athletic overcame Marseille in what was a tight tie that took a moment of quality to seperate. Artiz Aduriz's fantastic dipping volley in the first leg gave Athletic the away goal cushion ahead of their home leg. Valencia were home and hosed by half time in the first leg against Rapid Wien eventually running out 10-0 aggregate winners. For Valencia this is the only route to the champions league as they have fallen way off the pace in the league. Athletic are in the hunt for Europe but again this is probably the best way into the champions league for them. Athletic Bilbao over two legs.

Liverpool v Manchester United
Amazing how this pairing has got England "interested" in the Europa league. In any case both sides overcame first leg scares to progress. Liverpool just about got over the line against Augsburg and United came back from a first leg set-back in Midtjylland. Just like the La Liga head-to-head this is the best route to the champions league for both sides it seems. Both are off champions league qualification via the league and that adds a bit of spice to this head-to-head in Europe. Tough one to call but going out on a limb I'll say Liverpool.

Marek Kincl scores as Sparta beat Lazio in 2003
source: getty

Sparta Praha v Lazio
Lazio are flying the Serie A flag in the competition after the elimination of Napoli and Fiorentina while Sparta are flying the Czech flag since the group stages. Sparta did surprise me with the ease they overcame Krasnodar for a finish in the last round, after watching the first leg I didn't see an away Sparta 3-0 win coming. Lazio came through Galatasaray after a first leg draw. Hard to predict this one and with Lazio not looking like getting any European qualification via the league this is all they have left to aim for. For that reason alone I'm leaning towards Lazio.

Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham
A fascinating tie pitting the second best German team against the second best English team. Both sides are in fine form and overcame quiet tricky ties in the last round. Dortmund against Porto was probably the tie of the last round and Tottenham v Fiorentina was a hard one to call. This tie is another hard to call one but it should be a terrific tie. Borussia Dortmund just.

Fenerbahçe v Sporting Braga
Both these sides have been semi-finalists in the past five years. For Fenerbahçe it was 2013 and Braga it was 2011. Fenerbahçe are involved in a tussle with Beşiktaş for the Turkish Lig title while Braga are currently best of the rest in Portugal behind Os tres grandes. Fener came through an awkward tie against Lokomotiv Moskva while Braga overcame Swiss side FC Sion. From what I saw of Fener in the first leg against Lokomotiv they will be a tough team to play against. However Braga will not be pushed lightly. Fener in extra-time.