Europa League play-off draw in full as Celtic and Nottingham Forest handed nightmare ties
Reach Daily Express January 31, 2026 12:39 AM

Nottingham Forest and Celtic have learned who they will face in the Europa League play-offs for a place in the last 16 of the competition. Both teams confirmed their spot in the knockout play-off round with victories on the final day.

Forest finished 13th in the league phase after winning four of their eight games. Thursday's 4-0 win over Hungarian side Ferencvaros followed victories over FC Utrecht, Malmo FF and FC Porto.

Sean Dyche's men will take on Turkish giants Fenerbahce next month and will meet either FC Midtjylland or Real Betis in the last 16, should they progress. Celtic will face Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart and could meet Braga or Porto in the last 16.

Premier League side Aston Villa have already booked their spot in the last 16 after finishing joint top of the league phase. Unai Emery's men won seven of their eight fixtures, including yesterday's dramatic 3-2 win over Red Bull Salzburg.

Joining them in the last 16 is Lyon, FC Midtjylland, Real Betis, FC Porto, Braga and Freiburg. Rangers, OGC Nice and Feyenoord were all surprise exits in the league phase.

Europa League knockout phase play-off draw in full

Ludogrets vs Ferencvárosi TC

Panathinaikos vs Viktoria Plzen

Dinamo Zagreb vs Genk

Celtic vs Stuttgart

Fenerbahce vs Nottingham Forest

Brann vs Bologna

PAOK vs Celta Vigo

Lille vs Crvena Zvezda

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