The drawing for the Champions League playoffs was announced on Friday morning. Here is how the draw turned out.
Champions Route
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Austria Wien
Zagreb will look to make a third straight return to the Champions League despite only picking up one point in its last 12 games during the competition. Austria Wien will look to make a return to the competition. This matchup is really a tossup with either squad having an equal chance of progressing.
Basel vs. Ludogorets Razgrad
Neither squad made the Champions League last season. FC Basel made a deep run in the Europa League and figures to be the favorite. Look for them to win.
Viktoria Plzeň vs. Maribor
The Czech side will look to return to the competition for the first time since 2011-12 and is the heavy favorite in this competition.
Shakhter Karagandy vs. Celtic
Celtic turned a number of heads when it took down Barcelona during the group stages and managed to get out of its group. However, the team fell to Juventus in the round of 16. Celtic is the favored side in this matchup.
Steaua București vs. Legia Warsaw
The Romanian side Steaua Bucuresti was among the top sides in the Europa League last year and figures to qualify this season with an advantageous matchup.
Non-Champions Route
Lyon vs. Real Sociedad
This matchup pits two respectable squads that could put up solid performances in the group stage. Look for this to be a toss up.
Schalke 04 vs. Metalist Kharkiv
The German side won its group last year and lost in the first round of the knockouts against Galatasaray. Look for them to qualify.
Pacos de Ferreira vs. Zenit St. Petersburg
The Portuguese team wound up with a difficult matchup in the playoff as Zenit St. Petersburg figures to be a contender to get out of the group stage. The Russian side failed a year ago but should be hungry for another shot. Look for Zenit to win this matchup.
PSV Eindhoven vs. AC Milan
AC Milan had a rough season last year, but is in far better shape and in prime position to make a deep run in the Champions League this season. The Dutch side is solid but should stand no chance against the Italian giants.
Fenerbahce vs. Arsenal
The Turkish side made a deep run in the Europa League last year and could spoil Arsene Wenger and Arsenal's hopes of a Champions League return. This will be the most watched playoff series; look for the English team to find a way to win.