With the new format of the Conference League this season and pairing system in place, league phase winners Chelsea knew at the start of the knockout play-off round (that they easily avoided) that they would be facing one of Gent, FC Copenhagen, Real Betis or Heidenheim in the last 16.
TV channel and live stream: Today’s Conference League draw will be streamed live and for free on UEFA’s official website and YouTube channel, with live television coverage available from 1pm GMT on TNT Sports 1.
Enzo Maresca may look at the Conference League for some respite from his side’s recent domestic struggles, which has seen them drop to sixth in the Premier League table as well as being knocked out of the FA Cup in the fourth round.
The Blues are widely considered as the favourites for glory this season in Europe’s revamped tertiary club competition, having eased through the initial league phase with six wins from six, scoring 25 goals and conceding just five to earn top spot despite playing a second-string team for the most part.
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of the third of today’s European club football knockout draws, with our focus here on events in the Conference League.
