Group A
FC Bayern München (GER)
Juventus (ITA)
FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FRA)
Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR)
Bayern Munich and Juve will start as favourites but watch out for Bordeaux, they are a very strong attacking team and will not be easy to play at home. Bayern have stuttered losing 1 and drawing 2 of their opening 3 games, despite making 6 signings in the summer (Robben too). Juve will be interesting to watch this season as Diego is now their star man. He is a good player. If I were to stick my neck out, I will say Juve top, Bayern to edge Bordeaux into 2nd place.
Group B
Manchester United FC (ENG)
PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)
Beşiktaş JK (TUR)
VfL Wolfsburg (GER)
I don't care what the world thinks. I actually think this is going to be a tricky group for Man U. CSKA Moscow are really tough to play at home with their artificial pitch and snowy conditions while I can tell you that Wolfsburg will cause some upsets along the way. I have started to follow German football more closely and I can tell you that Wolfsburg are like Barcelona. All out attack but their defence will be suspect. I expect them to make life tough for anyone at their home ground. Besiktas is also another tough place to go so if you're Man U, it's gonna be 3 tough away games. But I expect them to win 2 of their 3 home games at Old Trafford. Man U top, Wolfsburg a close 2nd. But it's gonna be nip and tuck all the way.
Group C
AC Milan (ITA)
Real Madrid CF (ESP)
Olympique de Marseille (FRA)
FC Zürich (SUI)
Kaka returns to his old home! Milan vs Madrid are going to be crackers and almost like watching the final itself. Marseille might cause an upset at home, but Zurich will struggle in this group. Let's face it, Real Madrid are the overwhelming favourites for this year's tournament. So i expect to see them and Milan through, but the order I am not sure who.
Group D
Chelsea
Porto
Atletico Madrid
APOEL
Chelsea's group seems easy on paper but it's not going to be a joyride for sure. But with Ancelotti there, they should be strong in Europe. The tricky thing is that Porto and Atletico are no pushovers at home, and I expect Atletico to grab a point at Stamford Bridge too. APOEL will be there to enjoy the experience nothing more. Chelsea top. Atletico to pip Porto into 2nd.
Group E
Liverpool FC (ENG)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
ACF Fiorentina (ITA)
Debreceni VSC (HUN)
What's unusual is that my team, Liverpool, seem to have an easier draw. But knowing them, they are going to make hard work of it. I expect 2 wins and a draw at Anfield, and I think we are capable of winning away at least once. Lyon will be tough at home, and Italians are never easy to play at home because they are so good at the counter attack. Still Liverpool top, Lyon 2nd.
Group F
FC Barcelona (ESP)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
FC Rubin Kazan (RUS)
Wow another juicy pairing. I pity the other 2 teams. Barca and Inter to go through. Barca tops. Mourinho to dominate the headlines.
Group G
Sevilla FC (ESP)
Rangers FC (SCO)
VfB Stuttgart (GER)
AFC Unirea Urziceni (ROU)
Yawn. Sevilla tops. Stuttgart 2nd.
Group H
Arsenal FC (ENG)
AZ Alkmaar (NED)
Olympiacos FC (GRE)
R. Standard de Liège (BEL)
Ok time for me to get controversial. I say Arsenal has the toughest group of all the EPL teams. All their opponents are champions of their respective leagues and are very strong at home. Arsenal need to win all their home games, which again won't be easy. Watch out for AZ and Standard Liege. Both play very good football and are very physical teams. Expect many of their players to be snapped up in the future after this year's tournament. This is the hardest group to call. But if I had to choose, AZ and Standard Liege to go through, with a nail-biting finish on the last day, Arsenal to fall just short.
So there you have it folks. Think you know better? Then I challenge you to call the shots better than me!=) All the English teams have avoided the big guns for now, which can only mean one thing, some firecrackers in the next round!
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