The draw for the Europa League took place earlier today and threw up several interesting match ups. The way the competition works has been changed from this year on and therefore the success of the new format will be determined by the interest people show in these fixtures.
How the new format works
The new format is same in the Europa League as it is in the Champions League. 36 clubs will now be participating in a new look league phase and will no longer play three teams twice like it used to be, but will instead take on eight different teams, four at home and four away. The top eight sides after the league phase will qualify automatically for the knockout stages, while the teams finishing in 9th to 24th will compete in two legged play offs to secure a place in the last 16 of the competition. Teams ranked between 25th -36th are eliminated from all competitions.
Top 10 most exciting fixtures from the league phase of the draw
Porto v Manchester United
The biggest match up of the round? Both clubs have bigger aspirations than the Europa League.
Fenerbahce v Manchester United
Jose Mourinho reunited with Manchester United. Expect lots of drama in this one.
Tottenham v Roma
Two clubs with young managers and attacking philosophies. End to end action expected.
Lazio vs Real Sociedad
Two clubs on a similar level in Italy and Spain. An all round interesting match up.
Roma vs Athletic Club
The Italian giants will taken on the ever-present La Liga side at home. Both teams are sort of equals in level.
Lyon vs Rangers
Lyon have had a couple of poor years. Rangers are an interesting opposition.
Real Sociedad vs Ajax
Two sides renowned for playing players from their own youth academies at the biggest stage.
Ajax vs Lazio
A new look Ajax take on a new look Lazio as both clubs struggle to match recent successes.
Roma vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Both these clubs have made certain interesting acquisitions in the market and both like to attack.
Fenerbahce vs Athletic Club
A clash of cultures, both having very active fanbases.
Who plays who?
Manchester United fixtures: Rangers (H), Porto (A), PAOK (H), Fenerbahce (A), Bodo/Glimt (H), Viktoria Plzen (A), Twente (H), Steaua Bucharest (A)
Tottenham fixtures: Rangers (A), Roma (H), AZ Alkmaar (H), Ferencvaros (A), Qarabag (H), Galatasaray (A), Elfsborg (H), Hoffenheim (A)
Rangers fixtures: Tottenham (H), Man Utd (A), Lyon (H), Olympiacos (A), Union Saint-Gilloise (H), Malmo (A), Steaua Bucharest (H), Nice (A)
Roma fixtures: Frankfurt (H), Spurs (A), Braga (H), Alkmaar (A), Dynamo Kyiv (H), Union SG (A), Athletic Club (H), Elfsborg (A)
Ajax fixtures: Lazio (H), Slavia (A), Tel-Aviv (H), Real Sociedad (A), Galatasaray (H), Qarabag (A), Besiktas (H), RFS (A)
Porto fixtures: Manchester United (H), Lazio (A), Olympiacos (H), Tel-Aviv (A), Midtjylland (H), Bodo (A), Hoffenheim (H), Anderlecht (A)