Yes, friends and friends of friends on your level will be more likely to be drawn in your League. Otherwise, the Leagues are usually fairly competitve within a couple(ish) star average of the teams, sometimes there are two levels (such as 3 level 11 managers in a 12 League) combined to make numbers for the League draw to complete.

In the Season/HAYD threads people have posted Leagues with Q listed.

Cup is closer cos levels don't matter.