Yahoo News Which Champions League teams could Arsenal and Chelsea face in Europa League last 32?
Arsenal and Chelsea have both secured top spot in their Europa League groups but even that is not enough to ensure they avoid Champions League opposition in the knockout rounds.
However the most fearsome of opponents will at least not be in the London clubs paths for the round of 32 stage, with the four third-placed Champions League sides with the best record seeded in next week’s draw.
That means Napoli and Inter Milan, who earned nine and eight points respectively but missed out on a place in the Champions League knockout rounds, will be seeded and can only face the runners up from the Europa League group stages.
There are though intimidating opponents lying in wait for the winners of Group E and L. Arsenal and Chelsea could face a trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray, a tie which for the Gunners would bring back unpleasant memories of the 2000 Uefa Cup Final, while Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk will not be welcomed with open arms.
Champions League third-placed teams
Group | Team | PL | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Seeding |
C | Napoli | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | Seeded |
H | Valencia | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | |
B | Inter Milan | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 8 | |
A | Benfica | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -5 | 7 | |
E | Plzen | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -9 | 7 | Unseeded |
F | Club Brugge | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |
G | Shakhtar Donetsk | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -8 | 6 | |
D | Galatasaray | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 4 |
The draw for the Europa League round of 32 will be made on December 17 at Uefa headquarters in Nyon.
The first legs will be played on February 14 with the second legs a week later.
