EUROPA LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: NOTTINGHAM FOREST FACE FENERBAHCE AS FULL FIXTURES CONFIRMED
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By: Sefiu Ajape
Nottingham Forest face a daunting trip to Istanbul after being drawn on Friday to play Fenerbahce in the knockout phase play-offs of the Europa League, while Celtic have been handed a clash against German giants VfB Stuttgart.
Forest, who sit just above the relegation zone in the Premier League, finished 13th out of 36 teams in the Europa League and were therefore seeded for the play-off draw.
However, Fenerbahçe are expected to provide a stern test, as they remain unbeaten in the Turkish Super Lig this season, despite sitting three points behind leaders Galatasaray.
The Turkish side boasts a star-studded squad that includes former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, Spain star Marco Asensio, and France midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.
Forest, who are hoping to return to the Turkish city for the final in May, will nevertheless take encouragement from the fact that Aston Villa defeated Fenerbahce 1-0 at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium just last week.
The winner of that tie will face either Real Betis or Midtjylland in the last 16, with Forest having lost at home to the Danes during the league phase in October.
Celtic secured qualification for the play-offs after beating Dutch side Utrecht 4-2 on Thursday to finish 21st. They will host Stuttgart, currently fifth in the Bundesliga, in the first leg on February 19 before travelling to Germany for the return leg on February 26.
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The winners of that tie will meet Portuguese opposition in the last 16, with either Porto or Braga awaiting them.
Other play-off ties see Bologna of Serie A taking on Brann Bergen of Norway, while Lille will face Red Star Belgrade.
Aston Villa are among the eight teams who qualified directly for the last 16 and will play one of Lille, Red Star Belgrade, PAOK, or Celta Vigo at that stage.
Europa League Knockout Phase Play-Offs – Draw
Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) v Genk (BEL)
Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) v Ferencvaros (HUN)
Celtic (SCO) v VfB Stuttgart (GER)
Brann (NOR) v Bologna (ITA)
Panathinaikos (GRE) v Viktoria Plzen (CZE)
PAOK (GRE) v Celta Vigo (ESP)
Fenerbahce (TUR) v Nottingham Forest (ENG)
Lille (FRA) v Red Star Belgrade (SRB)
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