What to look out for on the final day of the Europa League league stage | OneFootball

The inaugural Europa League league phase is set to conclude on Thursday. Here’s what to look out for on the final day.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are on the precipice of the last 16 with wins for both sides enough to secure their spots in the final 16.

The new Swiss format adopted by UEFA for its European competitions means the top-eight sides will progress straight through to the last 16, whilst the sides finishing from ninth to 24th have to qualify via a play-off clash against another opponent.

Permutations for the British clubs

The Red Devils sit fourth and are one of only three sides who remain unbeaten in the competition, whilst Spurs sit sixth, one point behind them on 14 points.

Ruben Amorim’s side will travel to Romania to face FCSB, who are also seeking a win to secure their last-16 spot, whilst a draw may be enough for United to go straight through to the last 16 provided other results fall their way.

They are currently two points ahead of Galatasaray and Bodo/Glimt in ninth and tenth, and three ahead of Viktoria Plzen and Olympiacos in 11th and 12th.

Spurs need a win against Swedish outfit Elfsborg to guarantee their last-16 place and progress Ange Postecoglou’s bid for second season success. A draw could be enough if other results go their way but victory would ensure they definitely avoid a play-off.

Rangers’ automatic qualifying hopes took a huge knock after defeat at Old Trafford, but their play-off spot looks secured. They take on Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, with both sides on 11 points, three adrift of the top-eight.

What else to look out for

Newly appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjær is tasked with salvaging Besiktas’ European campaign and will battle with fellow Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce, headed by his predecessor in the Man United dugout, Jose Mourinho.

Fenerbahce and Besiktas occupy the bottom two spots in the play-off positions with both sides needing a win to be ensure they avoid an early elimination.

Besiktas take on FC Twente who would leapfrog them with a win, whilst Fenerbahce take on 19th placed Midtjylland.

Roma are also at risk of dropping out of the play-offs, having picked up nine points so far. They are a point ahead of Porto, who are one place outside the play-off places, while FC Twente and Braga sit on seven points.

Roma face a difficult clash against previous winners of the competition Eintracht Frankfurt, who are second in the table, while Porto take on Maccabi Tel Aviv, who are currently two points behind them.