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The UEFA Europa League play-off draw has been completed and it's time to preview the last-32 ties.
The draw, involving those who finished runners-up in their respective Europa League groups and those who switch over from the Champions League group stage, has set up some cracking contests.
Barcelona vs Napoli
There was a time where Napoli would've cursed the Europa League draw for pitting them against Barcelona, but those days are long gone.
For the first time in 21 years, the Catalans have failed to negotiate their Champions League group stage campaign, finishing third in Group E, behind Bayern Munich and Benfica.
Premature Champions League elimination is just the tip of the iceberg, with Barca continuing to underperform in the wake of Lionel Messi's heartbreaking departure in the summer.
And while Xavi's side languish in eighth in the La Liga standings, Napoli are mounting a serious title challenge in Serie A, where they are only four points adrift of pacesetters Inter Milan.
Though there's still enough time for Xavi to restore winning mentality in the Camp Nou dressing room, the Partenopei seem closer to edging past this round at this point.
From a betting standpoint, this is a difficult tie to predict, and an excellent place for bettors to use arbitrage betting to place smart bets on either team going through.
Prediction: Napoli to win
Sevilla vs Dinamo Zagreb
Back to more familiar surroundings, Sevilla will continue their continental journey in the Europa League round of 32 following an underwhelming Champions League group stage campaign.
No side has won the Europa League more times than Los Rojiblancos (six), including a run of three back-to-back triumphs between 2014 and 2016.
But Sevilla cannot afford to underestimate the record-time Croatian champions, who stunned Europe last season when they ousted Tottenham in this competition's round of 16.
Still, as long as Julen Lopetegui's men keep their feet on the ground and avoid complacency, they should be in complete control of this tie.
Prediction: Sevilla to win
Atalanta vs Olympiacos
Olympiacos were thanking their lucky stars after seeing the Europa League draw put Atalanta in their way instead of the likes of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.
Or were they? Compared to Barca's ongoing on and off-field struggle and Dortmund's well-documented inconsistency, taking on a rampant La Dea side looks like a formidable task.
After making it out of the Champions League group stages in their inaugural two attempts, Gian Piero Gasperini's team finished third in this season's Group F, behind Manchester United and Villarreal.
However, they are now dark horses in the race to lift the Europa League crown, especially given the way they are playing in Serie A this season.
Prediction: Atalanta to win
RB Leipzig vs Real Sociedad
Since earning Bundesliga promotion in 2016/17, RB Leipzig have taken no prisoners en route to establishing themselves as a permanent top-four fixture in Germany's top-flight.
But after losing head coach Julian Nagelsmann and headline performer Marcel Sabitzer to bitter rivals Bayern Munich in the summer, the Germans have stuttered this term.
Unlike Leipzig, Real Sociedad have defied the odds under the stewardship of Imanol Alguacil, developing into genuine La Liga top-four candidates.
Yet, they've lost some momentum down the road and will have to reignite form that saw them go unbeaten in 17 consecutive games in all competitions if they are to trouble Die Roten Bullen in this tie.
This is a sleeper of a great tie, and one of the best Europa League games to stream live if you are a football fan.
Prediction: RB Leipzig to win
Zenit St Petersburg vs Real Betis
Not exactly the type of tie that would warm the hearts of neutrals, but Zenit St Petersburg and Real Betis have not been messing around this season.
The Russians may have dropped from the Champions League group phase, but a 3-3 draw with reigning European champions Chelsea on Matchday 6 shows they mean business this term.
Meanwhile, ex-Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has turned Betis into La Liga top-four bidders while cruising to the Europa League knock-outs.
The experience in major European competition is on Zenit's side, yet Los Verdiblancos have done enough to earn the benefit of the doubt.
Prediction: It could go either way
Borussia Dortmund vs Rangers
Dortmund's European adventure has not gone according to plan as they finished third in Champions League Group C, behind Ajax and Sporting Lisbon.
It's not all lost yet when it comes to Die Borussen's hopes of winning European silverware this season, though they'd have to settle for Europe's second tier.
The Bundesliga giants' road to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan begins against the 2020/21 undefeated Scottish Premiership champions Rangers.
With title-winning manager Steven Gerrard out of the picture, it will be up to Giovanni van Bronckhorst to navigate the Gers' way past one of the competition's favourites.
It's hard to make a case for Dortmund not winning this tie.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund to win
Sheriff Tiraspol vs Braga
The 2021/22 Champions League surprise package Sheriff Tiraspol will compete in the knock-outs of major European competition for the first time in the club's history.
The Moldovan upsets pulled off arguably the biggest upset of the season by beating non-other than Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu back in September.
Unfortunately, their heroic performance in the Spanish capital, coupled with another shock win over Shakhtar Donetsk, proved enough just for a third-place finish in Group D.
Braga, who finished runners-up to Red Star Belgrade in Europa League Group F, will be slight favourites to progress into the next knock-out round.
But does anyone dare to write Sheriff off following their outstanding Champions League exploits?
Prediction: It could go either way
Porto vs Lazio
Porto have no one but themselves to blame for switching over to the Europa League knock-outs as they were 35 minutes away from clutching a runner-up finish in Champions League Group B.
Heading into the Group B finale, Sergio Conceicao's men were in firm control of their qualification fate, only to sink those hopes against Atletico Madrid at home on Matchday 6.
The Dragons are now up against Lazio, who finished second to Galatasaray in Europa League Group E despite slightly underwhelming European showings.
It will be a matter of priority for the Biancocelesti, who at this point look miles away from asking any serious questions in the Serie A top-four quest.
Written by Ketan Patel
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