It is a potentially massive night for West Ham in Europe this evening as the exciting draw edges ever closer for our last 16 adventure.
If you wanted to measure how far West Ham have come under David Moyes perhaps tonight’s scenario will help.
Because everyone connected with West Ham can sit back and relax as they watch some truly high class clubs battle it out for the right to face them in the Europa League last 16.
Massive night for West Ham in Europe as draw edges ever closer
The last 32 ties, which pit the eight clubs dropping out of the Champions League against those who finished second in the Europa League group stages, take place over two-legs this week and next.
And all West Ham eyes will be on tonight’s first leg matches.
It promises to be a massive night for West Ham in Europe as the much anticipated last 16 draw edges ever closer.
West Ham will get the long awaited answer to the question of who they will face in the last 16 when the draw is made by UEFA next Friday following the conclusion of the last 32 clashes.
But tonight could be massive for West Ham as it will potentially give a much clearer indication of who Moyes’s boys might face over two legs in the knockouts.
Some clear cut scorelines will give a leaning towards certain clubs progressing and will narrow down the possible opposition ahead of the big and exciting West Ham matches next month.
The eight last 32 fixtures are split into two groups of four games. Four of the matches take place from 5.45pm tonight with the other four at 8pm.
At 5.45pm, most West Ham eyes will undoubtedly be on the Camp Nou as Barcelona entertain Napoli in one of the ties of the round. Although viewers are spoilt for choice with Borussia Dortmund entertaining Rangers at the same time.
Zenit take on former West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini and his high-flying Real Betis side while Sheriff Tiraspol face Braga.
Later Sevilla – whose stadium will host the Europa League final – entertain the team that finished second in West Ham’s group, Dinamo Zagreb.
West Ham’s pre-season opponents, Italian side Atalanta, play Arthur Masuaku’s former club Olympiacos.
Leipzig entertain West Ham manager Moyes’s former club Real Sociedad and Porto face Lazio in another high-profile clash.
Ahead of the knockout stages, UEFA yesterday dangled a huge carrot for West Ham and co by pledging to give away thousands of free tickets to fans of clubs reaching the final.
West Ham are three ties away from making that a reality.
Exciting times.
More West Ham news and views:
Daniel Kretinsky at West Ham: A massive anti-climax or too soon to judge?
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Moyes calls on fan favourite to get back to his best for West Ham.
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