The draw for the knockout playoff round of the new-look UEFA Europa League has been made.  But how does this feed into the round-of-16 ties? When is the next draw? How does it all knit together? And why were those league phase positions so important?

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.

A Closer LookFootball enthusiasts and clubs alike are setting their sights on the highly anticipated UEFA Europa League knockout stage draw. Scheduled