Tottenham have the easiest draw of English Europa League clubs
Published:Tottenham will be more than happy with their draw for the group stages of the Champions League and should have little trouble advancing to the latter stages of the tournament.
Harry Redknapp’s team were pulled out in Group A and a particularly interesting clash with Irish surprise package Shamrock Rovers awaits.
Rubin Kazan will undoubtedly pose the biggest challenge in the group, while PAOK from Greece are the other club looking to progress into the second round by finishing in the top two.
Tottenham’s odds are 1/1 to win the group, while they are 11/1 second favourites to win the Europe League, behind Paris Saint Germain.
Previous Europa League finalists Fulham will also fancy their chances of progression from Group K, but the draw could prove tougher than it looks.
Alongside Dutch runners-up FC Twente, they will face Odense and Wisla Krakow, who both came within a whisker of qualifying for the Champions League.
Odense led after the first leg against Villarreal, while Wisla were ten minutes away from getting the better of Apoel Nicosia.
Fulham are 28/1 to win the Europa League and 13/8 favourites to top their group.
Stoke’s first appearance in the Europa League group stages is set to present a tough challenge as they face long trips to Ukraine, Turkey and Israel to battle Dynamo Kiev, Besiktas and Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
Europa League odds have Stoke at 5/2 to win Group E and 33/1 to win the tournament.
The final English team involved in the group stages is Championship club Birmingham and they are in Group H with last season’s beaten finalists Braga, Rangers’ qualifying round conquerors Maribor and Club Brugge.
Birmingham are 5/1 to top their group and a mammoth 200/1 to win the competition.
