Draw for Europa League Quarter-Finals: Newcastle-Benfica, Chelsea-Rubin & Spurs-Basel: The Daily EPL
UPDATED: The draw for the quarter-final stage of the Europa League was made this morning, and the English clubs have three tough opponents to get through if they want to play in the semi-final stage of the tournament.
Chelsea have been drawn against Rubin Kazan from the Russian Premier League, while Newcastle United will play against Benfica. Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, will face Basel of Switzerland.
Which Premier League clubs do you think will advance to the semi-finals of the Europa League?
Here are today’s Premier League news headlines:
- Draw for Europa League pits English sides against tough competition — UEFA
- This is the year that has caught up with Arsenal — Life’s A Pitch
- Brentford: probably the most refreshing football ground in the world — The Guardian
- Swansea City and Wales left-back Neil Taylor plays first game since injury — This Is South Wales
- Chelsea striker Fernando Torres not selected for Spain — The Independent
The Daily EPL is your morning guide to the latest Premier League news headlines, so you don’t have to spend an hour or more scanning the Internet. We do all the work for you. Read The Daily EPL on EPL Talk every morning to stay on top of all the news that matters.
21 Responses to Draw for Europa League Quarter-Finals: Newcastle-Benfica, Chelsea-Rubin & Spurs-Basel: The Daily EPL
Sweet Chelsea has to fly to Russia just we needed.
Going to be really tough for Lazio playing Fenebache and Newcastle at the same time!!
Clearly a By for Benfica then.
Newcastle got Benfica, you muppet
The article has been fixed. Whoops.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Hard to say this time. I think Chelsea and Spurs should be able to go through. As for Newcastle, can’t really predict any outcome now. I only know they will have to be careful now as the level of competition has definitely become stiffer. As for the potential fan clashes/racial abuse, I guess there’s nothing much we can do about them. let’s hope they somehow do not happen, or at worst, do not spoil the matches itself.
Oops, I guess the part on the fan clahes/racial abuse doesn’t appply anymore. Great news I guess.
Zippy in the stands? You’d think either George (no9) or Bungle (the manager) would hook him up with some seats by the dug out at least.
Basel, should be interesting, didn’t Basel beat Man Utd 18 months ago to knock them out of the UCL?
Yes, but they lost 3-4 players from that team in the summer. They did beat Zenit so still some quality there but I expect Spurs to advance easily
What about the Champions League draw?
You didn’t hear? England is cuckoo for the Europa League now
Ivan, here’s the draw:
Málaga v Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid v Galatasaray
Paris Saint-Germain v Barcelona
Bayern Munich v Juventus
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Gaffer,
Did you think you would ever see the day where you would only be talking about the Europa League at is time of the year?
I wouldn’t have predicted it, but I’m not surprised either. The English clubs got knocked out by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich — two very difficult opponents.
In some way, I think it helps give the Europa League more respect in the English soccer community. The level of competition has been very good all season.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
Bayern v Juve should be a cracker.
Don’t they draw the semi-final match ups as well?
Dortmund, Madrid, Barca and Bayern to advance.
Mufc77, they usually do name the semi-final matchups, too. But according to UEFA, the draw for the last four will be made in Nyon on April 12.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I think I like it that way better. Let the drama build up for another couple of weeks
Becks and Messi!! I can’t wait. I am glad my basketball assignments will be completed so that I can put my full attention to this faceoff. Whoops, that’s ice hockey…kickoff.
I can tell already…I’m going to be ON FIRE!!
Worse possible draw facing Kazan in the quarterfinals. Chelsea will have to probably put out a B team in the 1st leg.
Both Chelsea and Spurs have the 2nd leg away and that might make it tougher on them.
Chelsea play United on Monday April 1, then Rubin on Thursday April 4, then Sunderland on Sunday April 7, then onto Russia to play Rubin in the 2nd leg on Thurday April 11, then either an EPL game or FA Cup against Man City on Sunday April 14. I see a lot of rotation that could hurt Chelsea’s chances overall.
Spurs should beat Basel over both legs as they don’t have as bad a schedule as Chelsea during this time.
Newcastle will find it tough over Benfica but with the 2nd leg at home they will fancy their chances to win the tie.
Benfica are very dangerous team to play. An unknown, that has kept pace with Porto in domestic play. They knocked off Man U last year. So why should Newcastle be different . I warn you , don’t take it for granted. Plenty of weapons in Benfica’s side. Besides , how fair is a fight between an Eagle and your Magpie!?