UEFA Conference League knockout phase play-offs: What to look out for

Real Betis, Panathinaikos and Shamrock Rovers are among the sides looking to raise their game when the UEFA Conference League knockout phase play-offs get under way.

All kick-off times 21:00 CET unless stated

Knockout phase play-off draw
Gent vs Real Betis
TSC vs Jagiellonia Białystok
Celje vs APOEL
*Víkingur Reykjavík vs Panathinaikos
Borac vs Olimpija Ljubljana
Omonoia vs Pafos
Molde vs Shamrock Rovers
Copenhagen vs Heidenheim

* The matches of these teams may be subject to a change of date and/or venue

Headline ties

Gent vs Real Betis

Gent will look to put a 1-0 loss at Larne on Matchday 6 behind them as they restart their Conference League campaign. An even split of three wins and three losses, their league phase campaign brought an equal share of highs and lows. "We have to look in the mirror together," said coach Wouter Vrancken after the league phase. Real Betis are a challenge he can only hope his side can rise to.

Following a 15th-placed finish in the league phase, the Seville side are also looking to raise their game. "In the knockout rounds, you can't play at anything less than 100%," said goalkeeper Adrián as he looked ahead, while coach Manuel Pellegrini said he expects more "precision" as injured players make their return. Is Betis's best yet to come?

Did you know?
Gent have yet to win in three home games against Spanish sides (D2 L1).

Víkingur Reykjavík vs Panathinaikos

The first Icelandic side to win a league or group phase match in a men's European competition, Víkingur have already gone further than most expected by reaching the spring phase of the competition. "I couldn't be more proud of the boys," said coach Arnar Gunnlaugsson after they sealed qualification on Matchday 6. "It has been a long, difficult season, but an incredible learning experience for me, the coaching staff and the players. Now we deserve a little rest."

Panathinaikos drew 2-2 at Fram in their only previous game in Iceland, but that was back in 1991. However, if they want more reliable information on the state of Icelandic football, they can call on Iceland defenders Hördur Magnússon and Sverrir Ingason, both of whom are on the books of the Athens side. "Great attitude and mentality from the whole team," said the Greens' Portuguese coach Rui Vitória after the league phase. "We continue to work hard."

Did you know?
The journey from Athens to Reykjavik is around 4,000km. Average February temperatures in Iceland are around freezing point, while Athens' are a relatively balmy 10C.

Molde vs Shamrock Rovers

An added-time Halldor Stenevik winner in a 4-3 success against Mladá Boleslav took Molde through to the knockout phase in dramatic fashion, stand-in coach Trond Strande purring: "It's great to see the joy in the dressing room afterwards." That feel-good factor was elusive in the league phase, where Molde lost three of their games, while a fifth-placed league finish in Norway means their only chance of European football in 2025/26 would involve winning this competition.

The first step toward that would be disposing of Shamrock Rovers. Five goals from Johnny Kenny helped Stephen Bradley's Dubliners to sail through the league phase, and they are raring for knockout phase action. "We are really looking forward to it," said Markus Poom, the midfielder son of famous Estonian goalkeeper Mart Poom. "You want to be in these European competitions, to play against the best teams in the world and just relish it."

Did you know?
Rovers visited Molde in the 2022/23 Conference League group stage, losing 3-0 under current manager Bradley.

Plus

• A small piece of history awaits: Omonoia vs Pafos is the first all-Cypriot tie in UEFA club competition history. Omonoia are the 21-time national champions, while Pafos' only honour to date was last season's Cypriot Cup.
• Top scorer in the competition with six goals, Chelsea's Marc Guiu will not feature in the knockout play-offs, giving three five-goal scorers the chance to close the gap: Shamrock Rovers' Kenny, Jagiellonia's Afimico Pululu and TSC's Miloš Pantović.
• Copenhagen have yet to win in seven home games against German clubs (D1 L6) but will be hoping their luck changes as they welcome competition debutants Heidenheim, who have not won a Conference League fixture since Matchday 3.