Europa League draw simulator: Liverpool face Champions League final repeat, West Ham and Brighton get tough tests
The Europa League last 16 draw takes place later today - and we've done a simulation of the draw that gives Liverpool, West Ham and Brighton some tricky ties.
All three teams avoided the dreaded play-off stage by topping their respective groups.
Despite that, there are a number of high-profile Europa League matches that they can be drawn into when the draw gets underway from UEFA's headquarters in Nyon.
Ahead of the draw taking place, we've used drawsimulator.com to run a simulation of what the eight ties might look like - and it isn't great news for Liverpool and Brighton.
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In the simulation, Jurgen Klopp's side face a Champions League final rematch in what would surely be one of the biggest ties of the season in any European competition if it is drawn.
They were drawn against AC Milan, who they beat on penalties in one of the most iconic Champions League finals ever in 2005 after coming back from 3-0 down in Istanbul.
Two years later, Carlo Ancelotti's side got revenge by beating Rafael Benitez's Reds 2-1 in the final in Athens.
Brighton, meanwhile, were also handed a tough task against Roma, who edged past Feyenoord on penalties in the play-off round.
The Italian club sacked Jose Mourinho last month, but have since won four of their five Serie A games under new boss Daniele De Rossi and therefore come into the last 16 in some good form.
West Ham, meanwhile, were also given a major challenge, as they take on Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon across two legs.
Ruben Amorim's side have failed to win on just three occasions in the Primeira Liga this season, and are level on 55 points with leaders Benfica while having a game in hand.
Elsewhere, Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen were drawn against French side Marseille in another huge tie, while Rangers were drawn against Benfica.
Here are the full results of the simulation:
- AC Milan vs Liverpool
- Villarreal vs Freiburg
- Rangers vs Benfica
- Roma vs Brighton
- Sparta Prague vs Atalanta
- Marseille vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Slavia Prague vs Qarabag
- Sporting Lisbon vs West Ham
Topics: Europa League, Liverpool, AC Milan, Rangers, Brighton And Hove Albion, West Ham
Ryan Smart