West Ham now have a clearer idea of the eight teams they could face in last 16 after the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off draw.
West Ham became the first club to win all six group games in the fledgling history of Europe’s third tier competition when they beat FCSB 3-0 last Thursday night.
The Hammers had already secured their place in the last 16 by winning Group B the week before with victory over SIlkeborg.
David Moyes’ side have actually won all eight of their European games this season including the two-legged qualifier against Viborg before the group stages.
It is in stark contrast to West Ham’s Premier League form where the Hammers have struggled against a superior class of opposition.
As they were in the Europa League when they made the semi-finals last season, West Ham are one the favourites to win the Conference League.
That is a very realistic aim given West Ham’s squad and the fact they are one of the biggest sides in the competition.
West Ham will play their last 16 match over two legs in March. But before then all eyes turned to who they might face on Monday lunchtime.
West Ham now have clearer idea of last 16 opponent after UEFA Europa Conference League play-off draw
And West Ham now have a clearer idea of the eight teams they could face in last 16 after the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off draw.
UEFA have hosted the 2022/23 Europa Conference League knockout round play-off draw at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, on Monday afternoon.
The eight teams who finished second in the Conference League groups are taking on the eight Europa League dropouts – teams finishing third in that competition – over two legs in February.
Now UEFA has confirmed the play-off ties, West Ham have a clearer idea who they might potentially face in the last 16.
Here are the eight play-off round fixtures which will be played for the right to face the likes of West Ham in March.
The fixtures are: Qarabag vs Gent, Trabzonspor vs Basel, Lazio vs Cluj, Bodo/Glimt vs Lech Poznan, Braga vs Fiorentina, AEK Larnaca vs Dnipro-1, Sheriff Triaspol vs FK Partizan and Ludogorets vs Anderlecht.
Anything can happen in football of course. And many of the fixtures are quite evenly matched. But going by which sides will likely be favourite in the ties, West Ham could face any one of Gent, Trabzonspor, Lazio, Bodo/Glimt, Fiorentina, AEK Larnaca, Sheriff Tiraspol or Ludogorets.
West Ham will find out their last 16 opponents when the draw is made on February 24 after the winners of the play-off ties are confirmed.
Winning the Conference League would also guarantee West Ham European football for a third successive season as they would automatically qualify for the Europa League for the 2023/24 campaign.
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