The three Dutch clubs taking part in this year’s Europa League competition have a mixed bag of opponents in the new look tournament following Friday’s draw.

In the new set up, there are no groups and all 36 teams play eight matches, four at home and four away. Their opponents are picked by computer.

The results are then compiled into a ranking and the best eight will go forward automatically to the round of 16. The teams ranked 9 to 24 will then play each other to determine the other eight.

The losers will then be out of the competition and will not move down to the Conference League, as in the past. Champions League losers will not move down to the Europa League either.

Ajax will meet Slavia Prague, Lazio (Italy), Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel), Real Sociedad (Spain), Galatasaray (Turkey), FK Qarabag (Azerbaijan), Beşiktaş (Turkey) en Rigas FS (Lithuania).

Alkmaar side AZ has a tougher draw, with games against AS Roma, Tottenham Hotspur, Fenerbahce (Turkey), Ferencvaros (Hungary), Galatasaray (Turkey), Ludogorets (Bulgaria), Elfsborg (Sweden) and Athletic Club (Spain).

Tottenham Hotspur and Athletic Club are considered among favourites to take the title.

FC Twente will take on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United plus Lazio (Italy), Fenerbahce, Olympiakos (Greece), Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium), Malmö FF (Sweden), Nice and Beşiktaş.

The definitive match schedule will be published this weekend.