Format, fixtures, more ]Premier League sides Manchester United (3rd - 18 points) and Tottenham (4th - 17 points) are two of the eight that will avoid the first knockout round. Lazio (19 points) finished top with Athletic Bilbao behind them only on goal difference.

The league phase of the Europa League has come to a close with Lazio topping the table on goal difference despite losing 1-0 to Braga on the final day of play. Tottenham and Manchester United have finished in the top eight to make it to the last 16 despite disappointing Premier League form while Rangers and Olympiacos were able to sneak into the top eight on the final day of this phase of play.