Europa League: Leicester draw Napoli, West Ham land in favourable group

  • Foxes also face Spartak Moscow, West Ham play Dinamo Zagreb
  • Europa Conference League: Spurs face Rennes, Vitesse and Mura

Leicester will face Napoli in the Europa League group phase after being paired with the Italians in Friday’s draw.

The Foxes, who missed out on Champions League qualification on the final day of last season, are back in the Europa League for the second year running after being knocked out in the last 32 in 2020-21.

Napoli finished fifth in Serie A last season, ending the campaign just two points behind second-placed Milan. Leicester also face Russian side Spartak Moscow and Polish outfit Legia Warsaw in Group C.

West Ham look to have been given an easier task and face Dinamo Zagreb, Genk and Rapid Vienna in Group H. The Hammers are in European competition for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

Their toughest test is likely to be Zagreb, who beat Tottenham in last season’s round of 16.

Rangers, who are back in this competition after failing to make it through the Champions League qualifiers, take on Lyon, Sparta Prague and Brondby in a tough Group A. Steven Gerrard’s side were controversially beaten by Slavia Prague last season.

Celtic are in Group G with Bayer Leverkusen, Real Betis and Ferencvaros.

The group stage kicks off on 16 Septemberwith the schedule due in the next 24 hours. The final will be played at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in Sevilla.

Tottenham, meanwhile, have been drawn alongside French side Rennes, Vitesse from the Netherlands and Slovenian outfit Mura in Europa Conference League Group G.

Uefa is reviewing whether away fans will be able to travel, with qualifying fixtures across all three club competitions watched by home fans only.

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Guardian sport and PA Media

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