Josh Colbourn
On the eve of what promises to be one of the most exciting Champions Leagues in recent years, we look ahead to the all important Group stage and try and figure out who will progress through to the round of 16 and who will have to settle for the Europa League.
Group A:
Who’s In It?
Manchester United
Shakhtar Donetsk
Bayer Leverkusen
Real Sociedad
At A Glance:
This could be closer than a lot of people think. A draw against Chelsea and a loss to Liverpool isn’t the start new manager David Moyes would’ve wanted to their title defence. Shakhtar and Leverkusen have both loss key players over the summer but have also started their respective seasons quite well. I don’t think United are bad enough to finish 3rd, but don’t bet your house on them topping the group either. Shakhtar should be too strong for Leverkusen and will also progress, but it may well be on goal difference.
Predication: 1st Manchester United, 2nd Shakhtar Donetsk
Group B:
Who’s In It?
Real Madrid
Juventus
Galatasaray
FC Copenhagen
At A Glance:
Despite making that surprising run to a Quarter Final loss to Real Madrid last season, Galatasaray has been dealt a much more difficult group this time round. Real Madrid with the addition of Gareth Bale will want to make up for their disappointing Semi Final loss to Dortmund and go one better this time around. Juventus should be too strong for Galatasaray.
Predication: 1st Real Madrid, 2nd Juventus
Group C:
Who’s In It?
PSG
Benfica
Olympiakos
Anderlecht
At A Glance:
With no big English, German, Spanish or Italian giants in this group it is seen as the “group of life” by many. All four teams could make a run at progressing through to the knockout stages. Having lost the Quarter Final to Barcelona on away goals, PSG will be feeling confident of making a similar type of run this season and should be clear winners. Benfica are very much a Europa League side, having made the Quarters, Semi’s and Final in the last four seasons. They will be confident of progressing. Olympiakos and Anderlecht will have to perform well away from home if they want to progress although both would be happy with the Europa League.
Prediction: 1st PSG, 2nd Benfica
Group D:
Who’s In It?
Bayern Munich
Manchester City
CSKA Moscow
Viktoria Plzen
At A Glance:
The only problem for Bayern Munich could be a lack of motivation after winning everything possible in the last 6 months. Despite this, City has struggled to progress past the group stage in the previous 2 seasons having being dealt tough groups on both occasions. But, they will be confident of breaking that habit this season. Moscow could spring an upset or two but not enough to progress.
Prediction: 1st Bayern Munich, 2nd Manchester City
Group E:
Who’s In It?
Chelsea
Schalke
Basel
Steaua Burcharest
At a Glance:
Chelsea might not have it all their way in this group. Like English counterparts United, they shouldn’t finish 3rd like they did last season, but 1st isn’t a certainty either. Schalke were very good in the group stage last season, pipping Arsenal for 1st before narrowly losing to Galatasaray in the round of 16. Chelsea, however have strengthened over the summer and a Jose Mourinho coached side should always be considered a threat for the title. Since 2008, Basel have jumped between the Champions league and the Europa League, making their best run last season to the Semi Finals of the latter tournament beating Zenit St. Petersburg and Tottenham before losing to Chelsea. They could surprise Schalke and progress on goal difference.
Prediction: 1st Chelsea, 2nd Basel
Group F:
Who’s In It?
Borussia Dortmund
Napoli
Arsenal
Marseille
At A Glance:
Ah the Group of Death, where on current form, any one of these 4 teams could progress. Even unfancied Marseille have started this season strongly and have strengthened over the summer. Dortmund won’t be disappointed with the group of death having breezed through last season’s equivalent with arguably much tougher opponents in Real Madrid and Manchester City. Despite losing key players like they do every season, they still seem to find the perfect replacements which have shown in their brilliant start to the Bundesliga season. Spending giants Napoli are a mixed bag. They could perform well, even take points of Dortmund or they could do a “2012 Netherlands” and finish last with 3 or 4 points. Arsenal has finally spent big money on a player who actually could do something. Mesut Özil will join Cazorla, Wilshire and Ramsey in a 5 star midfield that could really do some damage this season. Özil’s signing should get Arsenal past Napoli and Marseille and join Dortmund in the Knockout rounds. The Dortmund v Arsenal fixtures in particular should be 2 of the best group games this season.
Prediction: 1st Borussia Dortmund, 2nd Arsenal
Group G:
Who’s In It?
Atletico Madrid
Porto
Zenit St. Petersburg
Austria Vienna
At A Glance:
Atletico Madrid has finally caught a break in the draw and will fancy themselves to progress through. Having dominated the Europa League over the last 4 seasons, they will want to show the world that they can also compete in the Champions league. Porto and Zenit will battle it out to join Atletico having both made promising runs in Europe last season. Porto however should be too strong in the fixtures against Zenit.
Prediction: 1st Atletico Madrid, 2nd Porto
Group H:
Who’s In It?
Barcelona
AC Milan
Ajax
Celtic
At A Glance:
Neymar will get his first taste of Champions League action this season, but his transition into the team as well as his connection with Messi hasn’t gone as smooth as some would’ve liked. This will take some time but it shouldn't disrupt Barcelona progressing easily. AC Milan almost shocked Barcelona in last seasons round of 16 which will give them a lot of confidence to pip them for first. Ajax were the unlucky casualties in last seasons group of death, but will struggle to challenge AC Milan. Celtic showed last season in the group stage that they aren't no push over’s, taking 4 points off Barcelona. Despite this, losing key players will see them having to settle for the Europa League.
Prediction: 1st Barcelona, 2nd AC Milan
