UEFA Europa League is the competition for the less privilege teams who couldn't qualify for champions league.
The Thursday night football is always uncomfortable for big teams due to long journey travel to match venues.
It is full of actions, freestyle skills and goal galore for the fans to groove in excitement.
Winners of this competition qualified automatically for the following season Champions League irrespective of their position in their domestic league table.
The 2020/21 round of 16 draws pit teams from 11 different countries against each other with England having the most representatives (3).
First leg ties will take place on March 11th while second-leg fixtures will be played on March 18th. At this level the boys have been separated from the men.
Olympiacos vs Arsenal
This tie is a game of significance for the Gunners, the Greek side knocked out the Gunners in round of 32 last season, so they must be careful for history not to repeat itself.
Both side have met 10 times in European competitions, they both have 5 wins apiece.
However the North Londoners should be able to prevail this time.
Manchester United vs AC Milan
The fallen champions of European football tie is a mouthwatering fixture.
Both teams have met 10 times before now in the elite competition, the Rossoneri have qualified 4 times although United won their last meeting in 2010.
Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic might not be able to win this game for Milan against his former team, so United is tip to qualify.
Dinamo Zagreb vs Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs scored 8 goals in two matches in the round of 32 and despits their form so far and having to face a supposed minnow, it won't be easy.
Slavia Prague vs Glasgow Rangers
The recently crowned Scottish champion are the favorite to win this tie, where three Nigerians will be facing off, Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun of Rangers and Peter Olayinka for Slavia Prague.
Granada vs Molde FK
The Spanish side Granada are the favourite to progress in this round while the Norwegian champion are the underdogs.
AS Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk
The tie is a 50 -50 game, the Italian side are disciplined while the Ukraine side plays like the samba boys of Brazil due to many Brazilian players in their team.
Dynamo Kiev vs Villarreal
Emery and his boys from Spain are the favorite, because of his experience and records in Europa league, in 4 finals ,1 runner-up in 2017/18 (Arsenal). and 3 titles with sevilla.
Ajax Amsterdam vs Young Boys
The Dutch kings are finalist in 2015/16, and this game promises to be interesting because it will produce a lot of goals.
Ajax have the pedigree and quality to scale through to the next round but the Swiss side will give them a run for their money.
Hence we keep our fingers cross to see the teams that will progress to the quarter finals and the later stages of the competition .
Which team will emerge the 2020/21 champion?
Fabiyi Ridwan
Sports Writer and Analyst
