Atalanta v Olympiakos

Eight back to the matter in hand...

Sevilla will play Dinamo Zagreb.

Meanwhile, it looks like something is rumbling in the background around the Champions League draw.

Andres Palop is Uefa's special guest for this draw.

The two-time Uefa Cup winner with Sevilla, famously scored a late last-16 equaliser against Shakhtar en route to the club’s second triumph, where he saved three penalties in the shoot-out win over Espanyol.

Here's just how that looks in full.

Seeded teams:

• Real Betis
• Braga
• Dinamo Zagreb
• Lazio
• Napoli
• Olympiakos
• Rangers
• Real Sociedad

Unseeded teams:

• Atalanta
• Barcelona
• Borussia Dortmund
• RB Leipzig
• Porto
• Sevilla
• Sheriff Tiraspol
• Zenit St Petersburg

The draw for the Europa League knockout round play-off features 16 teams.

They include the eight runners-up from the Europa League group stage - who will be seeded - while the eight third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage will be unseeded.

Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla are among those dropping down from the Champions League. The other five teams dropping down are RB Leipzig, Porto, Sheriff Tiraspol, Atalanta and Zenit St Petersburg.

Now then it is time for the Europa League knockout round play-off draw.

Which basically means a change of backdrop on the Uefa stage.

Is this finally Manchester City's year? Owen Hargreaves reckons so.

Speaking to BT Sport, he said: "They're my favourites. We're very critical but the margins are so fine.

"I think Pep's been a bit unfortunate at times. They've tasted that bitterness of defeat [against Chelsea]. If they get another crack at it, I think they'll get the job done."

Michael Owen reckons Villarreal won't have enough to beat Manchester City over two legs.

Speaking on BT Sport, he said: "It's not an easy tie. City will be pleased with it but Villarreal, when they went to Old Trafford I thought they were exceptional.

"They're doing average in the league but they have a good performance in them.

"But City are definitely strong favourites for that one. Unai Emery's Europa League record is staggering, but I'm sure City will progress to the quarter-finals."

Image source, Getty Images

Assuming Uefa say everything was hunky-dory with that draw we shall have the greatest goalscorers in history on the same pitch once more.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have got a bit of previous in case you've been on a desert island for the last 15 years or so.

The duo have met in 36 previous occasions, with Messi finishing on the winning side 16 times to Ronaldo's 11.

The Argentine has scored 22 goals in those fixtures to Ronaldo's 21.

Markus: Surely they have to do a re-draw? United not in the pot of potential opposition for Atletico.

Anon: United were put in the pot for Villareal but not for Atletico. This will be re-drawn.

Anon: They'll have to do the UCL draw again surely? They incorrectly left Manchester United out as a possible opponent when drawing Atletico Madrid? Oops?!

Chelsea v Lille then. The Joe Cole derby!

Speaking on BT Sport, here's what he's had to say about that tie: "Chelsea will be very happy with it, but a word of caution, Lille are an exciting and aggressive team.

"They have nothing to lose against Chelsea. Where Lille play, it could be one hell of an atmosphere.

"You can't discount this Lille team, they're a very well run club with good young players. Chelsea will have to be mindful of an upset."

Here's that draw in full:

• Benfica v Real Madrid.
• Villarreal v Manchester City
• Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich
• Red Bull Salzburg v Liverpool
• Inter Milan v Ajax
• Sporting Lisbon v Juventus
• Chelsea v Lille
• Paris St-Germain v Manchester United

Joe Cole, speaking on BT Sport: "Dreadful one for Manchester United. It's the tie of the round. I've watched a lot of PSG this season, there's still holes in what they do, the balance isn't right.

"If they click into gear they can beat anyone, but Ralf Rangnick will have two months with his squad before then. That is a juicy tie."

Rich: Football gods shining on Liverpool. One of the more friendly Christmas periods and the lowest ranked team to start CL knockouts.

Manchester City have won both of their previous meetings with Villarreal in all competitions, winning home and away in the group stages of their maiden Champions League campaign of 2011-12.

Imagine most City fans will be happy with that draw, given Villarreal were originally paired with Manchester United, who then did not appear to be put back into that section/pot of the draw, unless I missed something.

I'm sure Uefa will tell us if there's been an error.

Paris St-Germain and Manchester United have met four times in the Champions League since 2018-19.

Both clubs currently have two victories a piece, though I suspect Mauricio Pochettino and Ralf Rangnick, the man he has been tipped to replace at Old Trafford may have preferred different opponents.

Image source, @ChampionsLeague

Paris St-Germain v Manchester United. Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo.

Written in the stars.