Bulgaria would be the handpicked destination

There are several challenging looking unseeded teams we could face in this afternoon’s Europa League draw.  AZ Alkmar are joint-top with Ajax in the Netherlands.  Getafe are fourth, but only five points off the top of La Liga after 17 games and above Atletico.

Brugge are eight points clear in Belgium, while Olympiacos are top in Greece, but only on goal difference.  I know we took care of Lazio, but Roma, one point below their neighbours in Serie A, will be every bit as difficult.  Wolves continue to demonstrate they are a solid team in the Premier League.

A couple of the bigger names are going through difficult times.  Sporting are 16 points below Benfica and nine below Porto.  Eintracht are 12th in the Bundesliga, six points off a relegation spot and seven off Europe.

If I could handpick a team it would be Ludogorets.  They progressed to the knockout stage due to a 5-1 win at home to CSKA Moscow and a draw in the return game.  They managed a draw in the final game at home to Ferencvaros, which was enough to see them finish a point ahead of the Hungarians.