UEFA Europa League: Who has made last 16? Who might not qualify? What do Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers need?

Ready for a night of high-stakes UEFA Europa League action? The final evening of the competition's league phase on January 30 will see 18 - EIGHTEEN - matches taking place concurrently, as all 36 teams play their final, defining ties. Who can relax knowing their fate is secure? And who faces a stressful night of waiting and wondering? Stream the action live on discovery+.

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The UEFA Europa League's new format has delivered high-octane drama and magical moments, but the inaugural league phase is about to reach boiling point.

All 36 teams are preparing to play their final matches on an evening which has all the ingredients to produce one of the greatest nights in the competition's history.

Manchester United and Tottenham both secured big victories in their penultimate matches, against Rangers and Hoffenheim respectively, as they secured a knockout play-off place at the minimum.

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But there are still European heavyweights with their campaigns up in the air.

Ahead of a blockbuster final matchday - which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - here is the state of play on who is through, who is battling for automatic and play-off qualification, and who is on their way out...

Already through: SS Lazio

Virtually through: Eintracht Frankfurt, Athletic Club, Manchester United

Battling for top 8: Tottenham Hotspur, Anderlecht, FCSB, Galatasaray, FK Bodo/Glimt, Viktoria Plzen, Olympicos, Rangers, AZ, Union

Trying to hold onto play-off spot: Ajax, PAOK, Real Sociedad, FC Midtjylland, IF Elfsborg, AS Roma, Ferencvaros, Fenerbahce, Besiktas

Currently eliminated but with play-off chance: FC Porto, FC Twente, SC Braga, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Already eliminated: Dynamo Kyiv, Ludogorets, Malmo FF, OGC Nice, Qarabag FK, FK RFS, Slavia Prague

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Video credit: TNT Sports

League table as it stands

Top 8

Play-off spots: 9-24

Currently eliminated: 25-36

UEL 25th-36th - Image credit: Getty Images

Matchday 8 fixtures

Thursday, January 30 - 20:00 UK time

Maccabi Tel Aviv v FC Porto
Olympique Lyonnais v Ludogorets
FC Twente v Besiktas
Ajax v Galatasaray
FC Midtjylland v Fenerbahce
SC Braga v SS Lazio
Slavia Prague v Malmo FF
Dynamo Kyiv v FK RFS
Anderlecht v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Olympiacos v Qarabag FK
Tottenham v IF Elfsborg
FCSB v Manchester United
Athletic Club v Viktoria Plzen
AS Roma v Eintracht Frankfurt
OGC Nice v FK Bodo/Glimt
Real Sociedad v PAOK
Rangers v Union
Ferencvaros v AZ

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Video credit: TNT Sports

What do British teams need to progress?

Manchester United are nearly there and a victory against FCSB will guarantee them a spot in the top eight having already gained 15 points from seven matches.

As for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur, a critical victory on the road at Hoffenheim put their Europa League future in their own hands.

They are just a point behind their Premier League rivals in sixth place, and although they are not completely safe from a dreaded round of 32 play-off, they have probably done enough.

Spurs welcome IF Elfsborg to north London in their final match and will be firm favourites to secure their place in the last 16.

If they win, they will qualify automatically and avoid a play-off, but a draw could have consequences. They could be overtaken by Galatasaray, Bodo/Glimt, Viktoria Plzen and Olympiacos, which would knock them out of the top eight.

A loss at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could make things a lot trickier, and Spurs could have to rely on goal difference to dig them out.

Both United and Spurs have at least qualified for a knockout spot, as have Rangers despite their defeat at Old Trafford on Thursday. The Scottish team have an outside chance of reaching the top 8 on goal difference, but a lot of results would have to go their way.

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Which heavyweights are in danger?

Four-time European champions Ajax are among the big names hoping to avoid an upset when they host top eight contenders Galatasaray in the Netherlands.

They are in 16th place and just two points clear of the elimination zone, but there are eight clubs between them and FC Porto, who are currently heading out.

The Portuguese side, who reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 last season, are among a cluster of European stalwarts in danger.

Just above them in the table by a point are Besiktas, Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce and AS Roma, with Real Sociedad not far clear.

What does the supercomputer say?

The league table is the league table, but we have also consulted our friends at Opta to get the percentage chances of where each team will finish come the end of matchday eight...

Opta UEFA Europa League group predictor - Image credit: TNT Sports

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Stream the final league-phase UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matchdays on discovery+

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Thoughts?