UEFA Europa League

AC Milan announced striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Thursday's UEFA Europa League third qualifying-round match against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.

"The Club has informed the relevant authorities and the player has been promptly placed in quarantine at home," Milan said in a statement. "All other team members and staff have tested negative."

The forward responded to the news on Twitter:

I tested negative to Covid yesterday and positive today. No symptoms what so ever. Covid had the courage to challenge me. Bad idea

— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) September 24, 2020

Rossoneri defender Leo Duarte also tested positive for the coronavirus Tuesday. Both players took part in Monday's Serie A season-opening 2-0 win against Bologna. Ibrahimovic scored both goals in the contest.

In March, the 38-year-old started a fundraiser with a $109,000 donation to help support hospitals in Italy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Italy has always given me so much and, in this dramatic moment, I want to give back even more to this country that I love," Ibrahimovic said at the time.

The Swede returned to Milan in December after finishing a two-year stint with MLS' Los Angeles Galaxy. He previously played for the Italian club from 2010 to 2012, scoring 56 goals in 86 appearances across all competitions.

He's one of the most decorated players of the generation, with numerous individual and club accolades during stays with clubs including Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

Milan's positive tests come after Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora announced Friday the country would begin allowing up to 1,000 fans at sporting events as long as clubs and stadiums follow "rules laid down for spacing, masks [and] seat reservations."

Italy was one of the hardest-hit countries early in the pandemic, but it was able to flatten the curve and now ranks 20th with over 302,000 total confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

After Thursday's match against Bodo/Glimt, Milan are scheduled to continue the Serie A campaign Sunday when they visit Stadio Ezio Scida to take on Crotone.

Manchester United put one foot firmly in the quarter-finals of the 2019/20 UEFA Europa League after beating LASK 5-0 away from home on Thursday night.

United are now the firm favourites to lift the trophy, according to Oddschecker. Odds of 7-2 are the result of the quality at both ends of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team.

The Red Devils have a commanding lead in their last-16 tie, and so do Bayer Leverkusen. The Bundesliga outfit left Glasgow with a 3-1 win over Rangers, thanks in no small part to a star turn from Kai Havertz.

Wolverhampton Wanderers couldn't win, but the Premier League side did at least score a priceless away goal while earning a draw against Olympiacos in Athens.

Many games were played behind closed doors amid concerns about the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the spread of the disease also led to Sevilla's game against AS Roma at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan being postponed, along with Inter Milan hosting Getafe at the San Siro.

      

Thursday 1st-Leg Scores

• Eintracht Frankfurt 0-3 FC Basel
• Istanbul Basaksehir 1-0 FC Copenhagen
• LASK 0-5 Manchester United
• Wolfsburg 1-2 Shakhtar Donetsk
• Glasgow Rangers 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen
• Olympiacos 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

      

Latest Odds to Win Europa League

• Manchester United: 7-2
• Inter Milan: 6-1
• Wolverhampton Wanderers: 13-2
• Bayer Leverkusen: 8-1
• Sevilla: 9-1
• Getafe: 18-1
• AS Roma: 18-1
• Shakhtar Donetsk: 25-1
• FC Basel: 66-1
• Istanbul Basaksehir: 80-1
• Olympiacos: 80-1
• Wolfsburg: 100-1
• FC Copenhagen: 100-1
• Rangers: 500-1
• Eintracht Frankfurt: 500-1
• LASK: 7500-1

Odds per Oddschecker.

United were in total command from the start in Austria, and the visitors' quality was rewarded after 28 minutes when Odion Ighalo opened the scoring in style:

𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 from Odion Ighalo! 🔥🔥🔥

💫 Skill of the Day winner 💫#UEL | @UKEnterprise | #UELSOTD pic.twitter.com/LI6bRG4y8D

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 12, 2020

Ighalo had been teed up by fellow January arrival Bruno Fernandes, who has already established himself as United's creative heartbeat:

Four goals and three assists in nine games for Manchester United 🔥

Involved in more Europa League goals than any other player this season (10) 👏

Just Bruno Fernandes things 😍#UEL #LASKMUN pic.twitter.com/tuFgeRmWZK

— GOAL (@goal) March 12, 2020

Daniel James, Juan Mata, Mason Greenwood and Andreas Pereira accounted for the Red Devils' other goals on a night when Solskjaer showed off his squad's depth.

Wolves are more reliant on a battle-hardened first XI, but it took substitute Pedro Neto to get them back on level terms. Things appeared to be going Wolves' way once Ruben Semedo was shown a red card after bringing down Diogo Jota.

Being reduced to 10 men didn't stop the home side from taking the lead through Youssef El Arabi. It took Neto to hit back from a free-kick seven minutes after the hour mark.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1238222160612728832

Massive away goal for Wolves! 🧡

Pedro Neto's free-kick is deflected en route to goal to put the visitors level on the night and ahead in the tie 💪 pic.twitter.com/OyrYrTiwjz

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2020

Having an away goal means Wolves should finish the job in the second leg at Molineux on Thursday.

Leverkusen have less work to do after turning on the style at Ibrox. Havertz tucked away a 37th-minute penalty after VAR deemed George Edmundson guilty of handball.

Charles Aranguiz added a second, before Edmundson temporarily made amends with the hosts' only goal. It counted for little, though, once Leon Bailey produced some genuine magic two minutes from time:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1238220954330959872

Brilliant from Leon Bailey!

A piece of fine individual skill from the 22-year-old 👏

Bayer Leverkusen in full control against Rangers. pic.twitter.com/DPwz8w9MiV

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2020

Shakhtar Donetsk are an excellent outside bet to lift the trophy after a fine performance away at Wolfsburg. Junior Moraes opened the scoring for Shakhtar before USA international John Brooks headed in an equaliser three minutes after the break.

The visitors were in front again 17 minutes from time when Marcos Antonio found the net to leave Wolfsburg with it all to do in the return fixture.

One of the goals of the night sent Basel en route to an emphatic victory away to Eintracht Frankfurt. It came from Samuele Campo, who swept in a terrific free kick:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1238169990555197440

How about that?! 😯

A wonderful free-kick from Basel's Samuele Campo! ☄️ pic.twitter.com/LDM5yfa16e

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2020

Kevin Bua and Fabian Frei padded Basel's advantage that now looks unassailable for Frankfurt, even with the tie only at its halfway stage.

Things are closer between Istanbul Basaksehir and FC Copenhagen, even though Edin Visca's penalty gave the former a narrow win on the night, continuing the 30-year-old's impressive scoring run in the competition:

🦉 Edin Višća has now scored 6 goals in 9 #UEL games for İstanbul Başakşehir 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/UwfJPLvhVF

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 12, 2020

Basaksehir possess quality, but the Turkish club still rates as a long shot to lift the trophy.

Manchester United took a big step towards the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-0 first-leg win over Austrian side LASK on Thursday in the Round of 16.  

Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers are also in good shape to progress after coming from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at Olympiacos.

Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen beat Rangers 3-1, FC Basel cruised past Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0, and Shakhtar Donetsk saw off Wolfsburg 2-1. 

Thursday's only other fixture saw Istanbul Basaksehir secure a narrow 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen.

The scheduled matches between Getafe and Inter Milan and Sevilla versus Roma were postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

⏰ RESULTS ⏰⁣
⁣
ℹ️ Round of 16, first leg⁣
⁣
🤔 Best performance?⁣
⁣#UEL

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 12, 2020

     

Winner: Odion Ighalo 

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed January signing Odion Ighalo his third start for the Red Devils against LASK and watched as the 30-year-old sent the Red Devils on their way to victory with the opening goal.

It was a brilliant strike from the Nigerian striker, too. He received a pass from Bruno Fernandes, juggled the ball between his feet and then unleashed a ferocious strike which flew in off the underside of the crossbar (UK video only):

WHAT A GOAL! 😱

Odion Igalho has done it again as he gives Man Utd the lead with an absolute beauty 🔥

Solskjaer's reaction says it all! pic.twitter.com/JisDmPsJDh

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2020

The goal will strengthen Ighalo's claim for a place in Solskjaer's starting XI. The 30-year-old now has four goals from his three starts for his new club:

Odion Ighalo has scored in every game he has started for Man Utd across all competitions:

✓ vs. Club Brugge
✓ vs. Derby
✓ vs. LASK

Viva. Ighalo. pic.twitter.com/osNfruTrln

— Squawka (@Squawka) March 12, 2020

Ighalo also grabbed an assist by going on to set up Daniel James for United's second. The Wales international rifled an effort into the bottom corner for his first goal in 32 games.

Solskjaer praised his new signing after the match. He told reporters the striker has "got the lot" and added that no goalkeeper would have saved his effort.

       

Loser: Ruben Semedo

Olympiacos defender Ruben Semedo lasted just 28 minutes of his side's clash with Wolves before being sent off for a foul on Diogo Jota.

The 25-year-old is no stranger to seeing red. The dismissal was his second of 2020, and he's also picked up an impressive 12 bookings already in 2019-20.

Sports journalist Konstantinos Lianos noted why his red card was such a blow for the hosts:

Ruben Semedo is considered Olympiakos' best centre-back.
His red card will be a major advantage for Wolves ahead of the second leg, whenever that may be #WWFC

— Konstantinos (Kostas) Lianos (@LianosKostas) March 12, 2020

Semedo's departure allowed Wolves to play for an hour with a man advantage, and they finally managed to make it count in the second half.

The visitors had put in a fairly laboured performance until substitute Pedro Neto scored a valuable away goal that gives the Premier League side the advantage ahead of the return.

     

Winners: Kai Havertz's admirers

Bayer Leverkusen starlet Kai Havertz has attracted plenty of admirers already this season and may have gathered a few more after continuing his fine form:

Kai Havertz has been directly involved in 10 goals (5⚽️ & 5🅰️) in his last 10 games in all competitions.

Back to his brilliant best. 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/apZnnWO3fT

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 12, 2020

The 20-year-old's penalty gave the Bundesliga side the lead against Rangers at Ibrox, and the visitors went on to record a 3-1 win that puts them on the brink of the quarter-finals.

Havertz captained the side again for the match in Scotland and scored his third goal in three appearances in the competition.

The youngster has been linked with clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich this season and will have done his reputation no harm with another impressive display in Europe.

      

Loser: Home advantage

There was little evidence of home advantage on Thursday night in the Europa League as the away teams thrived.

Manchester United crushed LASK to all but end the Austrian side's Europa League dreams, while Bayern Leverkusen put three past Rangers in front of their own supporters.

Opta highlighted the team's away form:

3 - For the first time in their European Cup history, @bayer04_en have won 3 consecutive away games. Daredevils. #RFCB04 #UEL pic.twitter.com/qmaMo4XJK3

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) March 12, 2020

FC Basel secured a very comfortable win at Eintracht Frankfurt, and Shakhtar Donetsk will be confident of progression after winning in Wolfsburg.

The only home team to enjoy a victory were Istanbul Basaksehir, but they left it late and needed an 88th-minute penalty from Edin Visca to beat FC Copenhagen.

Manchester United took control of their last-16 tie with LASK in the UEFA Europa League thanks to a 5-0 win in the first leg on Thursday night.  

Goals from Odion Ighalo, Daniel James, Juan Mata and substitutes Mason Greenwood and Andreas Pereira were enough for the Red Devils in a game played behind closed doors in Linz, Austria, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The 2017 winners have built a commanding aggregate lead ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next Thursday.

United clicked into gear early and often with Mata and Bruno Fernandes running the show from midfield. Fernandes was producing some smart turns to get away from his markers and create space to play his passes.

Meanwhile, Mata was releasing runners in behind thanks to his vision and technique. The Spaniard played in James for an early shot, but LASK goalkeeper Alexander Schlager was up to the task.

Mata himself went close, but the 31-year-old guided his effort wide amid a melee in the box. Two more promising chances came and went when United centre-backs Eric Bailly and Harry Maguire each headed past the post.

United deserved a breakthrough, and it came on 28 minutes when yet another deft turn from Fernandes allowed him to play in Ighalo, whose neat trio of touches were only bettered by his thunderous shot into the top corner:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1238170202673725440

The second half began with United still firmly in free-flowing mode. Mata should have made it 2-0 five minutes after the restart, but he scooped his shot over after being picked out by a smart pull-back from Brandon Williams.

United moved into cruise control once Ighalo released James. The winger sped clear, cut inside and angled a low shot into the bottom corner.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1238181858191515648

"The goal drought is over!"

Daniel James bags his first goal in 32 games his relief is clear to see 🙏 pic.twitter.com/1E14gUhPqM

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2020

Being two goals to the good was what the visitors deserved based on their craft and endeavour. They continued in the same vein, with left-back Luke Shaw's pace and energy effective on the overlap, while Ighalo bullied the LASK centre-backs.

Events at the other end of the pitch prompted a stop in play when Bailly hobbled off after a clash with LASK striker Klauss. Bailly returned, but James was soon subbed off for Tahith Chong.

It was game, and possibly tie, over when Fred nudged a beautifully disguised pass into the path of Mata, who coolly finished to seal the goal that his performance merited:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1238187948950073349

Juan Mata makes it 3-0 to Man Utd...

But this one is all about the Fred assist 🔥

Solskjaer's men are cruising! pic.twitter.com/1HAsKuLEXi

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2020

Moments before, Fred had survived a penalty claim when VAR ruled he was not guilty of handball in the box. The Brazilian's reprieve and subsequent assist effectively ended the game, with Ighalo making way for Mason Greenwood in a clear sign United were content with the result.

Yet, there was still time for Greenwood to add some more gloss to the scoreline with a decisive finish after being released by Chong. The tie was effectively salted away in stoppage time when Pereira, who had entered the fray in place of Fernandes, rifled in a fifth from distance, although Schlager should have done better to keep it out.

United are as good as into the next round after a comprehensive and professional performance featuring some eye-catching football. A run of 11 matches unbeaten in all competitions, including nine clean sheets, is proof this is a United team strong enough at both ends to lift another European trophy.

      

What's Next?

LASK's league game at home to Hartberg has been postponed, but United are still scheduled to be away to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday.

UEFA has postponed Thursday's Europa League matches between Sevilla and Roma and Getafe and Inter Milan because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The governing body announced further decisions about the ties will be made in due course.

The Spanish government has banned flights from Italy, which is by far the worst-affected European nation following the widespread outbreak of COVID-19, from landing in the country. 

BBC Sport reported Getafe and Roma had already refused to travel for their games.

The ban on flights started at midnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, so Atalanta's UEFA Champions League game against Valencia on Tuesday was unaffected.

Serie A has been suspended until April 3 to guard against the spread of the virus, with all sporting events in Italy currently affected by similar restrictions.

Getafe president Angel Torres explained to reporters his club had decided they would not travel to Italy for their match at the San Siro, even if it meant they were eliminated from the tournament.

The 2019-20 UEFA Europa League has been whittled down to 16 teams, and the first legs of the second knockout round take place on Thursday.

Manchester United are among the favourites to go all the way this season, and they visit Austrian outfit LASK.

Inter Milan, meanwhile, host Getafe, who are flying high in La Liga.

One of the headline fixtures of the last-16 draw is Sevilla's clash with Roma, and they meet at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Thursday for their first leg.

                                         

Fixtures, Predictions and TV Info (Odds)

Thursday, March 12

5:55 p.m. GMT/1:55 p.m. ET: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 FC Basel (Home -170, Draw +320, Away +440), BT Sport Extra

5:55 p.m. GMT/1:55 p.m. ET: Istanbul Basaksehir 3-1 FC Copenhagen (-135, +270, +380), BT Sport Extra

5:55 p.m. GMT/1:55 p.m. ET: LASK 1-1 Manchester United (+265, +230, +110), BT Sport 2

5:55 p.m. GMT/1:55 p.m. ET: Sevilla 2-2 Roma (+100, +240, +290), BT Sport ESPN

8 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. ET: Inter Milan 1-0 Getafe (-105, +225, +335), BT Sports ESPN

8 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. ET: Olympiacos 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (+210, +225, +135), BT Sport 2

8 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. ET: Rangers 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen (+220, +250, +120), BT Sport 3

8 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. ET: Wolfsburg 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (+110, +240, +260), BT Sport Extra

Live-Streaming Links BT Sport app, B/R Live.

Odds courtesy of Caesars Palace.

                    

If United can avoid defeat on Thursday at the Linzer Stadion, they will extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 games.

They have looked a much more threatening outfit in recent games, largely due to the influence of January signing Bruno Fernandes, and they will be on a huge high on Thursday after beating Manchester City in the derby:

United paint Manchester red! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/JNfjatfEFZ

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 8, 2020

LASK sit six points clear at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga and have a perfect record at home this season in the Europa League after comfortably beating the likes of AZ Alkmaar, PSV Eindhoven and Sporting Lisbon.

United will be a step up in quality, though, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side should look to make a fast start as an early away goal could go a long way to deciding the tie.

The Manchester giants won the Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2016-17 and secured UEFA Champions League football as a result.

They look increasingly well placed to qualify for next season's Champions League through the Premier League, but Solskjaer will still be aiming to get a major piece of silverware under his belt to ensure he retains the United job for the start of 2020-21.

Inter, meanwhile, were dealt a major blow to their domestic ambitions on Sunday when they lost to Juventus to fall nine points off the pace in Serie A:

This is the standing after Matchday 26.
#SerieATIM #WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/CXXMV1h77I

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 9, 2020

Juve are getting away from Inter in the Serie A title race 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/tInM0F5rbU

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 8, 2020

A top-four spot is all but guaranteed, but manager Antonio Conte will be targeting Europa League glory so his side have something else to show for his impressive debut season in charge.

Getafe are a challenging proposition. They are fourth in La Liga and secured their spot in the Europa League last 16 by beating Ajax in the previous round.

Getafe's strength this season has been their solid defence. They have conceded only 25 goals in the Spanish top flight, fewer than 16 other sides in the division.

They may have their work cut out against Inter, though, who boast a fearsome attack headed by Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.

There is some doubt about the game taking place after Getafe president Angel Torres said he did not want to put his players at risk of getting the coronavirus. Italy is on lockdown at present.

Manchester United's 10-match unbeaten run across all competitions should continue when the Red Devils face LASK Linz in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League last 16 on Thursday.

United are still without playmaker Paul Pogba and prolific forward Marcus Rashford, but their absences haven't slowed the momentum of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men. January arrivals Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo have already proved more than able replacements, while Anthony Martial is in peak form up front.

An emphatic 6-1 victory over Club Brugge in the last round makes 2017 winners United firm favourites to progress at the expense of the Austrian Football Bundesliga leaders.

The match will be played behind closed doors amid concerns about the outbreak of the coronavirus, per BBC Sport, with the report detailing how LASK took advice from the Austrian government before making the decision to prohibit fans from attending.

United were quick to release a statement promising to refund tickets originally purchased by away supporters, per Dominic Booth of the Manchester Evening News.

     

Date: Thursday, March 12

Time: 5:55 p.m. GMT/1:55 p.m. ET

TV Info: BT Sport 2

Live Stream: BT Sport App, B/R Live

         

Odds

• LASK: +310 (bet $310 to win $100)
• United: -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
• Draw: +255

Odds per Caesars.

     

Solskjaer has relied on an increasingly potent double act between Fernandes and Martial to provide his team with a cutting edge.

The tandem worked its magic during Sunday's derby victory over Manchester City in the Premier League, with the former Sporting CP man teeing up the Frenchman from a free-kick:

Lot of due praise for the Fernandes free kick but (Ederson error aside) think that Martial finish is completely underrated. Such a difficult skill to get that timing and connection with the ball dropping over the shoulder. Played like a proper No.9 yesterday.

— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawTel) March 9, 2020

Martial is rapidly maturing into a complete centre-forward, one who can play with his back to goal, hold the ball up and bring others into play, as well as providing a significant scoring threat of his own.

The 24-year-old has three goals to his credit in this season's competition, but LASK own a solid defensive record in the tournament, having only conceded five times.

United will need Fernandes' drive and Juan Mata's eye for a pass to break down what is sure to be a well-drilled and disciplined home side. They are the midfielders in Solskjaer's squad who can help the team move the ball quicker through the lines.

"He sees things they'll never see..." 🎶

That @B_Fernandes8 assist for @AnthonyMartial 👀#MUFC pic.twitter.com/mdNn0B73n3

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 9, 2020

LASK's own threat will come from the talents of Marko Raguz. The 21-year-old accounted for all of his team's goals during the 3-1 aggregate win over AZ Alkmaar in the round of 32.

Meanwhile, Hoffenheim loanee Klauss makes a useful strike partner thanks to his brawn and willingness to compete in the air.

LASK have the firepower to spring an upset in the first leg, but it's more likely United's confidence and quality will help keep an impressive winning run going.

Manchester United's UEFA Europa League last-16 first leg against Austrian outfit LASK on Thursday will be played behind closed doors due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

Per Mark Critchley of The Independent, Austrian health minister Rudolf Anschober announced on Tuesday all outdoor events of more than 500 people would be cancelled until mid-April. But LASK then confirmed their game against United at the Linzer Stadion would go ahead without spectators. 

It is far from the first match to be put behind closed doors in recent days, though.

Tuesday's UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg between Valencia and Atalanta will be played without fans at the Mestalla Stadium with Los Che attempting to overhaul a 4-1 deficit.

For United, the decision could prove advantageous given LASK will not have the benefit of home support.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are on a run of 10 games unbeaten in all competitions, most recently securing a fine 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Most crucial for the Red Devils will be to get an away goal in Austria before the return to Old Trafford next week.

United have decent form in that regard. They have failed to score in just one of their last 11 Europa League games on the road. And in their recent unbeaten run, they have scored 24 times and conceded just twice. 

Manchester United and Inter Milan are the joint-favourites to win this season's UEFA Europa League entering the round of 16, where they will take on LASK Linz and Getafe, respectively. 

The Red Devils will be deemed somewhat fortunate to have received Austrian outfit LASK in Friday's draw, but Inter will have a far trickier task in ousting Getafe from the running.

Olympiacos beat Arsenal 2-1 at home on Thursday to knock the Gunners out of contention, and their reward is a round-of-16 clash against another Premier League outfit in Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Steven Gerrard's Rangers will have to surprise Bayer Leverkusen if they're to reach the quarter-finals, while five-time winners Sevilla will face AS Roma in what could be the matchup of the round.

Eintracht Frankfurt or Red Bull Salzburg will be the last team to qualify for the last 16 after the second leg of their round-of-32 clash was postponed until Friday due to a storm warning. Frankfurt lead 4-1 on aggregate following a decisive home win in the first leg.

Here is the Europa League round-of-16 bracket following Friday's draw in Nyon, Switzerland:

—LASK vs. Man Utd
—Inter vs. Getafe
—Sevilla vs. Roma

Europa League round of 16 draw is set 💯 pic.twitter.com/lkbDgFW2XH

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 28, 2020

The first-leg fixtures for this round will take place on Thursday, March 12, with the return matches to be played on March 19.

       

Europa League Winner Odds

Inter Milan: 9-2

Manchester United: 9-2

Sevilla: 6-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers: 13-2

Bayer Leverkusen: 10-1

Getafe: 11-1

AS Roma: 13-1

Eintracht Frankfurt: 22-1

Shakhtar Donetsk: 25-1

Wolfsburg: 30-1

Basel: 40-1

Rangers: 40-1

Olympiacos: 50-1

LASK Linz: 66-1

Copenhagen: 80-1

Istanbul Basaksehir: 100-1

Red Bull Salzburg: 100-1

Via Caesars.

      

Preview

United's chances of securing a second Europa League title were boosted after they drew LASK in the last 16, one of the smaller minnows still in with a chance of winning Europe's second-tier competition.

The Red Devils might be expected to make a revitalised run for the crown after winter signings Bruno Fernandes and Odio Ighalo each scored in Thursday's 5-0 drubbing of Club Brugge (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1233129249483231238

LASK defeated AZ Alkmaar 3-1 over two legs to advance to the last 16, and United have some comparative sample given they met the Dutch side twice during the group stage. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side drew 0-0 in Alkmaar but dominated AZ 4-0 at home.

Despite not being a household name or a regular in this tournament, LASK's form of late suggests they're a force not to be taken lightly, per Sport Witness' Naveen Ullal:

Manchester United face LASK in the Europa League last 16.

LASK have lost only three games since the start of September 2019.

One of them was against Sporting, a 2-1 defeat.

Bruno Fernandes had direct involvement in Sporting's both goals. Scored and assisted. pic.twitter.com/xNCFZVHTE6

— Naveen Ullal (@UllalIBT) February 28, 2020

It would be serendipitous if United were to at some point meet Inter, who signed Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez (on loan) from the Red Devils last summer. Christian Eriksen has also since joined the reunion of Premier League powers at the San Siro after he left Tottenham Hotspur in January.

Upcoming opponents Getafe will have something to say about the Nerazzurri progressing further, however. They sit fifth in La Liga and defeated Ajax 3-2 on aggregate in the last 32, with the Spaniard set to record a new club first when they meet Antonio Conte's side:

ℹ️ Getafe have never played an Italian club...#UELdraw pic.twitter.com/IB8zBAUL8t

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 28, 2020

Olympiacos will similarly hope to continue a dream run through the knockout stages after they edged Arsenal out of contention, setting Wolves in their sights as the next English outfit to topple (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1233161455329054721

A late Youssef El-Arabi goal sealed an unlikely win for Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium, drawing 2-2 over both ties but advancing via away goals (UK viewers only):

Wolves lost 3-2 at Espanyol on Thursday but were dominant enough in the home leg to win 6-3 on aggregate, and Nuno Espirito Santo's side look like a dark horse that could be worth an outsider's punt.

Sevilla are at a much lower price considering they've displayed a certain knack for this competition in previous years:

😍😍😍 https://t.co/6TI73IF45n

— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) February 28, 2020

A win over the Giallorossi would enhance their pedigree as potential title contenders in 2020, looking to end their wait for a Europa League after winning three titles in a row between 2014 and 2016.

Manchester United will face Austrian side LASK in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 following Friday's draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

Inter Milan will face Getafe, and Sevilla face Roma. Rangers will face Bayer Leverkusen, while Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Olympiacos.

The first legs of each tie will be played on March 12, while the second legs will be played on March 19. Those drawn first will be at home in the first leg and away in the second.

Here's the draw in full:

—LASK vs. Man Utd
—Inter vs. Getafe
—Sevilla vs. Roma

Europa League round of 16 draw is set 💯 pic.twitter.com/lkbDgFW2XH

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 28, 2020

Frankfurt and Salzburg will play the second leg of their tie at 5 p.m. GMT on Friday. The former hold a 4-1 lead in the tie from the first leg.

United secured their place in the last 16 with a 6-1 aggregate win over Club Brugge, and the 2017 Europa League winners have reason to be pleased with their draw, per OptaJoe:

0 - Manchester United have never lost in eight previous European meetings with Austrian sides, winning seven and drawing one of those matches, conceding just one goal. Kind. #UELdraw pic.twitter.com/Qqg3opiJed

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 28, 2020

LASK overcame AZ Alkmaar 3-1 on aggregate in the round of 32 to reach the last 16 of this competition for the first time in their history.

Football writer Kaustubh Pandey remarked on their progress:

LASK against Manchester United is something the club couldn't have dreamt of not long ago.

And they deserve immense credit for how far they've come.

— Kaustubh Pandey (@Kaus_Pandey17) February 28, 2020

Wolves will be wary of Olympiacos, particularly after they knocked Arsenal out of the competition on Thursday. The Greek side lost 1-0 at home to the Gunners but triumphed 2-1 over 120 minutes at the Emirates Stadium to progress on away goals.

The Athletic's Tim Spiers is relishing the tie:

Massive win at Arsenal last night for Olympiakos who are five points clear at the top of the Greek league. They also have a Portuguese manager in Pedro Martins.

Trip to Athens, historic opposition, big tie...we'll take that yeah?

— Tim Spiers (@TimSpiers) February 28, 2020

Football writer Ross Dunbar is intrigued by Rangers' tie with Leverkusen:

https://twitter.com/rossdunbar93/status/1233368129411178496

Steven Gerrard's side triumphed 4-2 over Braga in the last round.

Roma and Inter will have been hoping for simpler ties, but their draws could make for the games of the round.

Sevilla have won the competition five times, back-to-back in in 2006 and 2007 and three times in a row from 2014 to 2016.

Meanwhile, Inter's opponents are fifth in La Liga, just one point behind Atletico Madrid in third. Getafe overcame last season's UEFA Champions League semi-finalists Ajax in the round of 32.