Nottingham Forest face a tough trip to Istanbul after being drawn Friday to play Fenerbahce in one of the knockout phase play-offs matchups of the Europa League, while Celtic must take on German heavyweights VfB Stuttgart.
Forest, who are now narrowly above the Premier League relegation zone, were seeded for the play-off draw after finishing 13th out of 36 clubs in the Europa League.
Even though they are three points behind leaders Galatasaray in the standings, Fenerbahce promises to be a difficult challenge because they have not lost in the Turkish Super Lig this season.
French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, Spanish star Marco Asensio, and former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson are among their team members.
The fact that Aston Villa defeated Fenerbahce 1-0 at their Sukru Saracoglu stadium just last week will still be encouraging for Forest, who hope to return to the Turkish city for the final in May.
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In the round of 16, the victor of that match will play either Real Betis or Midtjylland. In the league phase, Forest was defeated by the Danes at home in October.
After defeating Dutch team Utrecht 4-2 on Thursday to finish 21st, Celtic qualified for the playoffs. They will host Stuttgart, presently fifth in the Bundesliga, in the first leg on February 19 before the return in Germany on February 26.
In the round of 16, the winners will take on Portuguese opponents, either Porto or Braga.
Other play-off ties include Lille versus Red Star Belgrade and Bologna of Serie A and Brann Bergen of Norway.
Aston Villa will play one of Lille, Red Star Belgrade, PAOK, or Celta Vigo in the round of 16. Aston Villa is one of the eight clubs that advanced directly to that stage.
Draw for the Europa League knockout phase playoffs
Genk (BEL) vs. Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
Ferencvaros (HUN) v. Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL)
VfB Stuttgart (GER) versus Celtic (SCO)
Brann (NOR) v Bologna (ITA)
Viktoria Plzen (CZE) vs. Panathinaikos (GRE)
Celta Vigo (ESP) vs. PAOK (GRE)
Nottingham Forest (ENG) vs. Fenerbahce (TUR)
Red Star Belgrade (SRB) vs. Lille (FRA)
