Everything you need to know about the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE draw ~ Breakdown & Predictions
The groups have been drawn for the most prestigious yearly football competition, UEFA Champions League.
Learn which teams were drawn together and how they fare in the competition.
Maybe you are a bettor and want some extra information before you throw down some wagers. Look no further than this post here!
Let's start this off with a breakdown of each Group and then I will give my predictions on which teams I think will advance.
GROUP A
The first group is an extremely strong group, with Ajax, Liverpool, Napoli, and Scottish club, Rangers being placed together.
Ajax are the reigning champions of the Netherlands, and have gotten off to great start to their domestic campaign wining all 3 of their league games. However, Ajax lost their previous manager, Erik Ten Hag, when he accepted a new job at Manchester United. Ajax is a strong team, but I do not think they will top this group. They will most likely finish in 2nd, but they must be careful not to lose out to Napoli.
As much as I despise them, Liverpool are an amazingly strong club. Last year was an incredible season for Liverpool, but also an extremely frustrating one. They lost the English Premier League last year on one point, and also made it to the Champions League final, only to lose 1-0 to Real Madrid. Liverpool should easily top this group, but there are concerns, as they have started off their domestic season going 3 games without a win.
Napoli are an interesting squad, they are quite strong but never seem to put it all together. The Italian club finished 3rd in Serie A last year, and it is good to see them back playing Champions League football. I see Napoli finishing 3rd in this group, but there is a chance they beat Ajax and sneak into the Knockout Stages.
Rangers are coming off a good season where they made it all the way to the Europa League final, but were edged out by Eintracht Frankfurt for the win. They finished their domestic season in Scotland, by finishing in 2nd place and runner-up to the champions, Celtic. Unfortunately, I do not see them doing any better than 4th place in this stacked group.
Group Prediction: 1st - Liverpool | 2nd - Ajax | 3rd - Napoli | 4th - Rangers
GROUP B
FC Porto had a simply amazing season last year. The Portuguese team set a record of 91 points on route to their Primeira Liga victory; they also went on to secure the domestic cup (the Taça de Portugal). I love watching Portuguese teams, as they play with passion and dedication that is extremely admirable. I expect them to advance to the Knockout Stages, but probably lose out the top spot to Atlético Madrid.
Atlético Madrid are not a flashy team, but they are so damn good. I love their coach Diego Simeone and his passion. Atlético Madrid finished in 3rd place in La Liga last season and were knocked out of the Champions League in the Quarter-Finals by Manchester City. They should absolutely dominate this group and finish on top.
After having finished 3rd in the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen, are back in the Champions League. Unfortunately, they are not off to the best start domestically this year, as they have 1 win and 3 losses and find themselves in 13th place. They will need a slap in the face before the Champions League games if they want a chance at advancing. This is a tough group, but also one that they could advance thru if they put together a good string of games. I think Leverkusen will be an interesting team to watch, especially their games against Porto.
Club Brugge, the reigning champions of the Belgian First Division A, have a very small chance to advance in this group. BUT I would not say it is hopeless. If they win their games against Bayer Leverkusen and getting good results against Porto, I could see them squeaking into the Knockout Stages. If this does happen, it would be a great underdog story to watch.
Group Prediction: 1st - Atlético Madrid | 2nd - FC Porto | 3rd - Bayer Leverkusen | 4th - Club Brugge
GROUP C
This is the most exciting group of the entire bunch. I say that because FC Barcelona is my favorite team, BUT also because this is definitely the Group of Death! Barcelona, Bayern, and Inter are all extremely strong teams so it will be incredible to see who will advance from this group.
Bayern Munich is one of the best teams in the world, full stop. I honestly don't need to say to much more, but I will. Last season, Bayern won the German League title, the Bundesliga, and were knocked out of the Champions League by Villareal in the Quarter-Finals. The biggest news this year for Bayern, is that they lost their talisman, Robert Lewandowski on a transfer to FC Barcelona. Will Bayern be the same juggernaut they always are? Or will they start to show signs of fading? I for one am excited to watch and find out.
FC Barcelona is my favorite football team. With all the new transfers and signings Barca made, I believe they have a chance to win the whole Champions League this season. The addition of Robert Lewandowski is absolutely huge, and has already paid dividends as he can't stop scoring in La Liga. It is going to must-watch television when FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich meet in the champions league this year, and we see Lewandowski face his old team. Bayern has had the upper hand on Barca for the past few seasons, but I am hopeful that this season we break the curse.
Inter Milan is an Italian football club, who won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italia last year, both against Juventus. They also finished the Serie A season in 2nd place, and with the most goals scored at 84. Inter has me worried. I am confident in my team, FC Barcelona, advancing. BUT Inter is a great squad and I could see them stealing a win from us and putting on the pressure. I cannot wait to watch any of the Group C games!
I feel bad for the Czech professional football club, Viktoria Plzeň. They have been drawn into the Group of Death, and I will be giving them a 1% chance of advancing. They are the reigning champions of the Czech First League, and made it to the Europa League Round of 16, only to be eliminated by Lyon.
Group Prediction: 1st - FC Barcelona | 2nd - Bayern Munich | 3rd - Inter Milan | 4th - Viktoria Plzeň
GROUP D
Easily the cupcake group of the bunch, Group D, as none of these teams are really that strong.
Eintracht Frankfurt is coming off an impressive European campaign where they eliminated my favorite team, FC Barcelona, and then finished as Champions of the Europa League. However, they had a disappointing domestic season, finishing 11th in the Bundesliga. The start to this season hasn't been that great as they lost to Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, and are currently sitting in 11th place in the Bundesliga. It will be tough but I see them advancing.
This is an dream group for Tottenham. Now, all they need to do, is actually play solid football and advance to the knockout stages. This group is not that strong, but I would say that Tottenham is head and shoulders above the rest. I expect Harry Kane to be putting away a bunch of goals against these teams. Tottenham is basically a lock to advance to the knockout stages.
Sporting CP had one of their best season ever last year. As they advanced thru the Group Stage and into the Knockout Stage of the Champions League. Sporting also came very close to winning their domestic championship, but finished as Runner-Up to Portuguese champions, FC Porto. I expect a 3rd place finish from them, but depending on how well or poorly they play it really could be 2nd or 4th.
Marseille has returned to the Champions League for the first time since 2020. Last year, the French club finished as the Runner-Up to PSG in Ligue 1. However, I do expect that to finish last in their group; as I believe Portuguese clubs like Sporting CP play very tough in European football competitions.
Group Prediction: 1st - Tottenham | 2nd - Eintracht Frankfurt | 3rd - Sporting CP | 4th - Marseille
GROUP E
Last season, AC Milan, secured their first Serie A title since the 2010-2011 season, and they set a club-record of 86 points. AC Milan succeeding is great to see. When AC Milan is good, Football is better. They are one of the most important clubs in football history. With all that said, I see them advancing to the Knockout Stages, but they will do so by finishing in 2nd place.
I am expecting Chelsea to take the top spot of this group. The English club did not add too many new pieces to the team, but they are extremely strong regardless. They finished 3rd in the English Premier League last season and should finish around the top 4 this season. One of my favorite players, American, Christian Pulisic, plays for Chelsea; so I am pulling for them to do well. He also needs more playing time at his preferred #10 position, but he may have to find a new team to get that.
The reigning champions of the Austrian Bundesliga, Red Bull Salzburg, are drawn into a pretty tough group, but one they may have a chance in. If they can somehow get a decent result in both games against AC Milan or Chelsea, I could realistically see them taking the 2nd place spot of this group.
The most successful club in Croatia, Dinamo Zagreb, is coming off another season where they were Champions of the Prva HN. They bested Norwegian club, Bodø/Glimt, in the play-off round, to qualify for the Champions League Group Stage. The only chance they have is to finish either 3rd or 4th. They will not beat AC Milan or Chelsea.
Group Prediction: 1st - Chelsea | 2nd - AC Milan | 3rd - Red Bull Salzburg | 4th - Dinamo Zagreb
GROUP F
Another year...another easy Group Stage for Real Madrid. I am a Barcelona fan, so when you compare Barcelona's group to this one, it is a bit frustrating to say the least. However, I will try to give an impartial breakdown of the group and my expectations.
Starting off Group F, we have the reigning champions of La Liga and the Champions League, Real Madrid. Just recently, on August 10th, the Spanish superpower beat Eintracht Frankfurt, the Europa League Champions, to secure the UEFA Super Cup. It pains me to say this, but as the reigning champs, and having an insanely strong side, Madrid is the team to beat this season.
The second team in this group is RB Leipzig, who just barely squeezed into the Champions League by finishing 4th in the Bundesliga. The German side won their first major title ever, when they won the DFB-Pokal Final 4–2 on penalties against SC Freiburg. They are always an interesting side to watch and I will be hoping they advance.
Shakhtar Donetsk are the reigning champions of the Ukrainian Premier League. Last season, they crashed out of the Champions League Group Stage in tremendous fashion without securing a win, even against Sheriff Tiraspol, the first Moldovan team to qualify for the Champions League Group Stage. I see them doing the same this year and finishing last place. I am not even sure they will secure a win this season, as Celtic is no pushover.
Celtic is back in the Champions League, and all lovers of football should be happy. Last season, they finished in first place and won the Scottish Premiership. The Scottish side and their fans are truly an amazing sight to see. I cannot wait to watch the games at Celtic Park and the thousands of loyal and sporting fans of the storied side. Despite my soft side for Celtic, I expect that they will finish in 3rd place. However, I am really pulling for them to advance to the Knockout Stages.
Group Prediction: 1st - Real Madrid | 2nd - RB Leipzig | 3rd - Celtic | 4th - Shakhtar Donetsk
GROUP G
Some may consider Manchester City as the favorites for the competition. As I stated earlier, I do believe Real Madrid is the team to beat (mostly because they are the reigning champs), but Manchester City might just be the most dangerous and talented team in the whole world. The reigning English Premier League champions signed golden boy winner, Erling Haaland, from Borussia Dortmund this year, and they have already hit the ground running this season. It would be an huge surprise if Manchester City does not finish at the top of this group.
Spanish club, Sevilla, finished 4th in La Liga last season and have their hands full with this current group. It is going to be an uphill battle against elite Manchester City and the solid Borussia Dortmund. I expect to see them in the Europa League after the Group Stage, as I feel Dortmund are more dangerous. It is interesting to note that Sevilla are currently the most successful club in the UEFA Europa League competition history, as they have won it 6 times. I could see them winning it again after not advancing lol.
Borussia Dortmund, the eternal runner-up of the Bundesliga, finished in second place yet again last season. Led by the loyal captain, Marco Reus, is primed for an exciting Champions League run this year. They are looking for redemption as they failed to advance past the Group Stage, even worse they were edged out by Sporting CP on Goal Difference. I personally like Dortmund and they should finish 2nd here, but they are known to struggle and Sevilla could easily take the 2nd place of the group.
The Danish club, FC Copenhagen, are the reigning champions of the Superliga. Unfortunately, I expect they will finish last in their group. The group they are drawn into is full of strong teams and I doubt they will be able to pull off multiple positive results against these clubs. I like a good underdog, but I don't see a chance here.
Group Prediction: 1st - Manchester City | 2nd - Borussia Dortmund | 3rd - Sevilla | 4th - FC Copenhagen
GROUP H
PSG is basically a super team, BUT they can never get the job done. I feel like they are a cursed team, destined to always choke; and I am okay with that. I am not particularly fond of Neymar or Mbappe, and even though I love Lionel Messi, I just don't care for PSG. They do not play with a passion or intensity. I feel like they play in a weak French league and then come to the Champions League and never play up to their potential. Rant over, PSG will win this group and advance to the Knockout Stages.
Last season was the first year since 2010–11 in which Juventus did not win a trophy at all. The once dominant Italian giants are looking to have rebound season, and no better way then having a strong showing in the Champions League. PSG is clearly better than them, so I do not see Juventus challenging for top spot; and Benfica is not as good as Juventus, so I do not see them finishing anywhere else but 2nd in this group.
Benfica is off to an amazing start this season, winning their first 4 games and sitting atop the standings of the Primeira Liga. They will need to stay hot if they hope to take down PSG and/or Juventus for one of the top 2 spots and advance. Benfica has an intriguing squad with a mix of important veterans and talented youngsters. It will be interesting to see if they can put it all together to take down the giants of the group. I expect a 3rd place finish, but who knows?!
Maccabi Haifa has won the Israeli Premier League in back-to-back seasons now, after a 10 year drought. They qualified for the Champions League after beating Red Star Belgrade in Champions League play-off round. They also hold the record for most Champions League qualifications by an Israeli team, at 3 times. With all this said, they will not advance. The teams in this group are too good, and they are not good enough. This is a great achievement to be in the Champions League, but they will need a miracle to even finish 3rd.
Group Prediction: 1st - PSG | 2nd - Juventus | 3rd - Benfica | 4th - Maccabi Haifa
BOLD PREDICTION: FC Barcelona and Manchester City will meet in the Champions League final; with Barcelona winning 4-2.
This is shaping up to be another exciting year of Champions League football!
See ya!
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