Yesterday saw the draw made for this season’s Champions League group-stage and it’s fair to say that that the draw in Monaco has thrown up some interesting groups, which we’re now have a look at in full.
Group A: Bayern Munich, Villarreal, Manchester City, Napoli
On paper this seems a very competitive group. You would expect Bayern Munich and high-spending (is that an understatement or what!) Manchester City to go through, but both Napoli and Villarreal will look to prove the doubters wrong.
Napoli will be the ‘surprise factor’ in this group and if they could gain a win over Bayern and City, they might just make it through to the Last 16 at the expense of one of those and they will certainly be tough to beat in Italy.
Predicted Finishing Order: Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Napoli, Villarreal
Group B: Inter Milan, CSKA Moscow, Lille, Trabzonspor
The 2010 Champions Inter should have no problems winning this group, which will be a huge relief to their new manager Gian Piero Gasperini. Even if Wesley Sneijder were to leave the club, Inter have enough quality to go far in this year’s competition.
As for the runners-up in this group, it’s really a dog-fight between CSKA Moscow and the French champions Lille. CSKA have done well in Europe recently whilst Lille despite losing some members of their title-winning squad last season should at least finish 3rd to secure a Europa League sport.
Predicted Finishing Order: Inter Milan, Lille, CSKA Moscow, Trabzonspor
Group C: Manchester United, Benfica, Basel, Otelul Galati
Well it’s fair to say that this was a good draw for United, as it could have been alot worse. With the squad that Sir Alex has got unless we run into Barcelona or Real Madrid early in the knockouts we should at least get to the semi-finals.
Of course though it’s not that easy of course, but what appears to be easy is United’s passage through to the Last 16. Benfica will be tricky particularly away from home but United have enough experience to get at least a point there and to comfortably beat both Basel and Otelul Galati twice.
Predicted Finishing Order: Manchester United, Benfica, Basel, Otelul Galati
Group D: Real Madrid, Lyon, Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb
It’s amazing that come May it will have been 10 years since Real Madrid last won the Champions League. Many managers and players have come and gone in that time and there’s no doubt Spain’s most successful club have underachieved in Europe during that time.
Real should comfortably top this group and will know enough about Lyon (having played them umpteen times over the last 6-7years) and Ajax, who will battle it out for the runners-up spot in the group. Zagreb are the whipping boys in the ground but will be there to enjoy the ride.
Predicted Finishing Order: Real Madrid, Lyon, Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb
Group E: Chelsea, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Genk
Roman Ambramovich has been chasing the holy grail of European club football for 8 years now and it’s fair to say that the Russian is growing frustrated that the Blues haven’t yet won the competition despite going close on several occasions.
Chelsea though should be happy with this group as they have enough star-power to stroll through from this group. Valencia will be the favourites to finish second in this group by Leverkusen should not be underestimated and could go through at their expense.
Predicted Finishing Order: Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen, Valencia, Genk
Group F: Arsenal, Marseille, Olympiacos, Borussia Dortmund
After scraping through past Udinese to qualify from the Play-off round, Arsenal have been handed a tough challenge in this group. Arsene Wenger’s side should still go through though but it will probably have to wait until the final match-day to secure their passage.
Marseille have an excellent young team and were certainly put up a good effort in last year’s competition. It’s likely that they will fight with Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund for the other place through to the next round. Olympiacos though will struggle to pick up a win here.
Predicted Finishing Order: Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Marseille, Olympiacos
Group G: FC Porto, Shakthar Donetsk, Zenit, APOEL Nicosia
Despite losing coach Andre Villas-Boas to Chelsea in the summer and there star player Radamel Falcao, Porto will be very happy with their draw as they still have enough quality to win this group comfortably which for some reason doesn’t look as tough as it did yesterday.
It will likely turn out into a straight out battle for second place between the Champions of Ukraine Shakthar Donetsk and the Russian Champions Zenit. APOEL will be the whipping boys in the group but don’t expect them to lose by 4-5 goals as they will be tough to beat particularly at home.
Predicted Finishing Order: FC Porto, Zenit, Shakthar Donetsk, APOEL Nicosia
Group H: Barcelona, Milan, BATE Borsiov, Viktoria Plzen
Fans of BATE Borisvo and Vikotria Plzen must have been celebrating in the streets last night after their sides were paired with two of Europe’s biggest clubs in Barcelona and Milan who quite frankly need no introduction at all.
The two giants will qualify without barley breaking sweat and it will be interesting to see just how many goals Lionel Messi has got before the Last 16 as you would not put him past scoring at least 3-4 goals against both minnows as well as a few against the Italians.
Predicted Finishing Order: Barcelona, Milan, BATE Borisov, Viktoria Plzen
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
