The UEFA Europa League draw has been decided, which sees West Ham make their group stage debut. David Moyes’ side performed exceptionally in the Premier League last season to finish sixth and qualify for the competition, one that they have failed to progress through the qualifying rounds in the past.
The Hammers have had an impressive start to the 2021/22 season, recording two wins from two as they sit at the top of the Premier League table. They have also been given a major boost for their European tour as the draw has been quite favourable for them.
They will be the favourites to come out on top in Group H, with their opponents being Dinamo Zagreb, Genk and Rapid Vienna. Some cracking away days for their supporters, too.
Fellow Premier League side Leicester City, who are joint favourites to win the tournament with Betfred, have also got some interesting European trips as they take on Napoli, Spartak Moscow and Legia Warsaw in Group C. Unlike the Hammers, the Foxes have not had the start they would have hoped for this season, as they were comfortably beaten by West Ham on Monday night.
With key defenders Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans out injured, manager Brendan Rodgers will have a difficult task ahead of him to get the Foxes through to the knockout stages.
The Foxes have never faced a side from Italy, Russia or Poland in any European competition before, so they’ll definitely be breaking new ground this season.
Scottish sides Celtic and Rangers have both been placed in difficult groups in G and A respectively. Celtic’s toughest opponent in the group is German side Bayer Leverkusen, while the Hoops also have a tough test in Real Betis.
As for Rangers, their toughest opponent is 2017 finalists Lyon, but as the Europa League shows us time and time again, teams like Sparta Prague and Brondby will not be easy fixtures either.
If you need to catch up on who's playing who in the Champions League, you can find the full draw here.
