By RYAN TOLMICH
Just one day after sealing their passage into the next stage, the remaining 16 teams vying for the Europa League title learned their fate Friday with the competition’s Round of 16 draw.
Tim Howard and Everton will face a trip to Ukraine, as the Toffees have been paired with Dynamo Kyiv. Roma and Fiorentina, meanwhile, won’t have to travel nearly as far as the Premier League side, as the two Serie A powerhouses will face off in the Round of 16.
Serie A boasts three other representatives in the final 16, as Inter Milan takes on Wolfsburg, Napoli faces Dinamo Moskova, and Torino matches up with Zenit.
The match between the AS Roma and Fiorentina is also not the only intra-country matchup, as reigning champions Sevilla are set to face off with Villarreal.
The opening legs of the Round of 16 will kick off March 12.
Take a closer look at the upcoming Europa League matchups below:
EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 16
Everton (ENG) vs. Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
Dnipro (UKR) vs. Ajax (Ned)
Zenit (RUS) vs. Torino (ITA)
Wolfsburg (GER) vs. Inter Milan (ITA)
Villarreal (ESP) vs. Sevilla (ESP)
Napoli (ITA) vs. Dinamo Moskva (RUS)
Club Brugge (BEL) vs. Beşiktaş (TUR)
Fiorentina (ITA) v. Roma (ITA)
—
What do you think of the Round of 16 matchups? Who do you see as favorites to advance?
Share your thoughts below.
I say Everton will go all the way and win the meaningless Europa Cup/League (whatever) and…ghet relegated in the same season. Hummm I wonder what odds I can get on that.
I will take your money at whatever odds you like. It’s nearly impossible for Everton to get relegated at this point.
With Dynamo likely having to play at a neutral field, I’ll take Everton to advance though.
Impossible really? They are all of 6 points out the last relegation spot. I was being a little tongue in cheek, and I certainly would be surprised if they went down, but believe me that’s not nearly impossible.
I personally enjoyed the Europa League drama more than the CL games this week.
Looking forward to the next round. Here are my predictions:
Dynamo over Everton.
Dnipro over Ajax.
Zenit Torino is a toss up, I would go with the Russians, but just barely.
Wolfsburg over Inter.
Villareal to oust the current trophy holders Sevilla.
Napoli over Dynamo Moskva.
Besiktas over Brugges.
Fiorentina Roma is another difficult one to call. Let’s go with Roma because of the 2nd leg being at home.