Amin Chiakha

FCK into Conference League knockouts

F.C. Copenhagen have secured safe passage to the Conference League knockout stage next spring following Thursday's 2-0 win over Hearts.

The result means FCK are now four points ahead of the cut-off point in the league phase, with one round of fixtures still to play.

The Lions sit 16th in the table on eight points. It's still possible for Jacob Neestrup's side to beat Rapid Vienna next week and make it into the top eight. Doing so would secure automatic progress to the last-16 of the Conference League.

However, Vienna are also gunning for a top-eight finish and sit ninth on goal difference. With so many other teams also competing for those top-eight spots, it's impossible to know whether a win in Vienna would see FCK rise that high in the league.

Victory, though, is still important. Finishing in positions nine to 16 would earn the Lions a seeded spot in the play-off draw, and a home tie in the second leg.

The play-off matches are scheduled for 13 and 20 February 2025, and UEFA will conduct the draw on Friday 20 December.