The time has come for the thrity-two best clubs in Europe to meet on the biggest stage and compete for the UEFA's crown jewel. The Champions League kicks of this week, with the road to the final in Munich being long and gruelling. The worlds best footballers dream of lifting the prestigious trophy and etching their name in history. For the fans it provides even more soccer to watch, tantelizing mid-week match-ups to add to your already full calendar. Shocking upsets are common and welcomed as the competition progresses.
The ripple effect is immense, one bad performance could not only derail your European ambitions but also domestically. We've seen some of the best stummble and crash out, the Champions League is the ultimate test in club football. Here is the lowdown on the groups and my predictions on which will advance to the knockout round.
Group A
1. Manchester City: Too strong not to finish first despite being new to the competition. The amount of quality in the squad is alarming, explosive offence will overrun opponents and win the group.
2. Bayern Munich: Never Count the Germans out, consistent overachievers they have the capability to be giant killers. Second will be the minimum requirement.
3. Napoli: Exciting debut campaign will have Naples filled with optimism. Depth will be the ultimate factor, but should go far in the Europa League against weaker opponents.
4. Villarreal: A disaterous campaign awaits in Europe. Weakest in the group.
Group B
1. Lille: Surprising winners will catch opponents off guard with creative style. Eden Hazard will be the X-factor that will earn the spotlight. Watch out for a Joe Cole resurrgence in France.
2. Inter Milan: Lack of depth will prove costly, only go as far as Wesley Sneijder can take them. Not the same dominant club but weak group will see them go through.
3.CSKA Moscow: Russians will grab the Europa League place, not enough quality to mount a challenge for the knockout round. However Zoran Tosic will have his coming out party.
4. Trabzonspor: Corruption in Turkey gave them a second chance, will be lucky to earn a point.
Group C
1. Manchester United: Premiership champions are a class above the rest, they will cruise to the knockout rounds with relative ease. Might set the record for goals in the group stage.
2. Benfica: The Portugese are second best and have enough fire power to outscore bottom two, although a slow start can prove to be costly.
3. Basel: Swiss champions are outmatched in Europe, lack of scoring will be their undoing. Keep an eye out for Xherdan Shaqiri, has the skill to be a game changer.
4. Otelul Galati: Just happy to be here and collect the lucrative cash payout for finishing bottom
Group D
1. Real Madrid: Winners by a mile. No need to question the legitimacy of Jose Mourinho's squad this year, they have strengthened in all the right area's and will be one of the favourites to win the title.
2. Ajax: After years of underachieving, Amsterdam will be happy to see their club through to the knockout round. A tight race awaits but their is plenty of talent within the squad.
3. Lyon: Talk about a club on the decline, poor form doemstically will spill over into their European campaign. They will stummble into the Europa League and crash out early.
4. Dinamo Zagreb: The Croats will only be a threat in Zagreb, albeit a minor one.
Group E
1. Chelsea: The Blues are in a tough group, it will go down to the wire but their squad depth is far superior and will make them victorious.
2. Valencia: Los Che will be extremely hard to beat at home, but poor road form will be the difference. Matchday two will be interesting as Juan Mata makes his return to the Mestalla
3. Bayer Leverkusen: You never know what to expect with this club, notorious underachievers will do enough to continue their European adventure in UEFA's second tier competition.
4. Genk: The Belgians made it this far due in large part to the heroics of their keeper Laszelo Koteles in the penalty shootout. I would not be surprised if they manage to finish third, but it will be tough.
Group F
1. Borussia Dortmund: The Borussians may have had a rough start domestically but do have the depth to push on. Mario Gotze will impress, look for him to make an impression and Dortmund to win the group.
2. Marseille: L'OM have in their possession the next big thing in French football. Loic Remy has the ability to win games all on his own. His goals will push them through.
3. Arsenal: Arsene Wenger will suffer his worst season as manager at Arsenal. The squad is thin and injury prone, a bad combination when your battling on two fronts. The Europa League could be a consolation prize.
4. Olympiacos: The Greek giants usually look like European minnows, always under preforming. Odds are the same outcome will transpire.
Group G
1. FC Porto: A new manager but the same philosophy, the club breeds success and then sells it to the highest bidder. On goes the process but the Dragons always find ways to move forward and get positive results.
2. Zenit St. Petersburg: The Russian champions are well into their domestic season and in fine form. Viacheslav Malafeev is tough to beat and Zenit have the best defence in the league and grind out victories.
3. Shakhtar Donetsk: It will be impossible to duplicate last years success, only missing out by the smallest margin. However they will be challengers in the Europa League.
4. APOEL Nicosia: This was a good draw for the Cypriots despite the tough journey's to Russia and the Ukraine. Valued experience will be earned along with six defeats.
Group H
1. Barcelona: The greatest club on the planet somehow managed to get better. The addition of Cesc Fabregas being the reason why. They are the team to beat and the standard everyone tries to emulate.
2. AC Milan: They have the unfortunate job of starting at the Nou Camp, but even without conquering the mighty Catalans, the remaining opponents should be a breeze for the Rossoneri.
3. Viktoria Plzen: Surprising entrants to the competition, the draw was harsh but the players will love the away trips to the Nou Camp and San Siro.
4. BATE Borisov: Money earned for participation alone is worth the last place finish, they are the weakest side in the group.
Join in on the banter. Please leave your thoughts and opinions about my predictions.
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