Neil Lennon’s Celtic have done what seemed pretty unthinkable three months ago and topped a competitive Europa League group.
Lazio, Rennes and Cluj have all been left in our wake as we’ve strolled to top spot confirmation with one matchday still to play. The perks of topping the section include a home second leg in February’s round of 32, and an easier list of potential opponents.
On that subject, here’s who we would be in line to face if the draw was made tomorrow. This list will change with matchday six’s fixtures in both the Champions League and Europa League but it still gives us a pretty good idea of the calibre of opposition lying in wait.
Champions League dropouts
Being seeded for the round of 32 means we will avoid the top four teams dropping down from the Champions League. UEFA determines this ranking by the amount of points the teams have accrued in their group stage campaign.
The four teams currently in those positions are: Club Brugge, Crvena Zvezda, Dinamo Zagreb and Bayer Leverkusen.
None of those four are guaranteed to even finish third, never mind as one of the lowest four. But it gives an idea of the calibre of side we could get dropping down from Europe’s premier club competition.
Europa League second placed sides
The potential offering of sides already in the competition is much simpler. We will be able to face any of the side’s finishing second in their group – with the exception of Rangers. Only one side is already confirmed to finish second and that is Cypriot outfit APOEL.
The other teams currently sitting in second and likely to be potential destinations in the draw are: Malmo, Getafe, LASK Linz, Frankfurt, Porto, Ludogorets, Wolfsburg, AS Roma, Wolves, AZ Alkmaar
Teams we definitely can’t face
We are one of just three teams who have sealed top spot in their group after five matches. Spanish duo Sevilla and Espanyol are the others meaning that we can face neither in February. Manchester United and Arsenal are both still be potential opponents after failing to wrap up their group on Thursday.
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