Who could Chelsea face in Conference League last 16? Potential opponents for draw today | OneFootball

The Blues await their next challenge in Europe after breezing through league phase

Favourites: Chelsea are considered the top contenders for Conference League glory this season

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Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

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Chelsea are clear favourites to win the Conference League, but could face a potentially tricky tie in the last 16 as the draw is made today.

The revamped tournament means Chelsea, along with the remainder of the top eight, skipped the play-off round and have already secured their spot in the last-16 stage.

Chelsea now know they will face one of four teams for a place in the quarter-finals.

Who will Chelsea face in Conference League last 16?

Having finished top of the league stage, Chelsea watched on as the play-off draw back in December mapped out four possible opponents for next month’s last-16 stage.

Chelsea’s four possible opponents were Gent, Copenhagen, Real Betis and Heidenheim, and that was whittled down to two teams following the second legs of their play-off ties on Thursday.

Betis made easy work of Gent in the first leg of their play-off clash, winning 3-0 as Manchester United loanee Antony opened the scoring, and a narrow defeat on home soil a week later was still enough for them to progress 3-1 on aggregate.

In the other tie, Copenhagen needed extra-time as they edged past Heidenheim. The German side had the advantage after a first-leg win on the road, but Copenhagen battled back and won it 4-3 on aggregate after an extra 30 minutes.

Chelsea will see whether they will face Real Betis or Copenhagen next during the last-16 draw on Friday, February 21.

The first leg of those ties will be played on March 6, with the return fixtures a week later.