Brighton to face Roma in Europa League last 16 as Reds land Sparta Prague

Cian Cheesbrough

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Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton have been handed a blockbuster Europa League tie

Brighton will face Serie A giants Roma in the last 16 of the Europa League, with Liverpool handed a more favourable draw against Sparta Prague.

The Seagulls — who qualified as group winners in their first ever European campaign — have a tough assignment in a two-legged tie with the 2022 Europa Conference League winners.

Jurgen Klopp's Premier League leaders will fancy their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals against Czech side Sparta, who sealed their place by dramatically beating Galatasaray 6-4 on aggregate in the play-off round.

Fellow Premier League side West Ham go head-to-head with Freiburg after beating the German outfit home and away in the group stage.

David Moyes' Hammers are hoping for more glory in Europe after reaching the semi-finals of the competition in 2021-22 before winning the Conference League last season.

Elsewhere, 2022 finalists Rangers will have to get the better of Benfica, with the Eagles currently top of the Primeira Liga.

Xabi Alonso's Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen will be heavy favourites against Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag, while AC Milan take on Slavia Prague, Sporting clash with Atalanta and Villarreal face Marseille.

The first legs take place on Thursday, March 7 with the return games a week later on March 14.