Champions League Group Stage Preview

Group E

Defending champions Barcelona should ease into the knock out rounds after finding themselves in a comfortable looking group. Do not be surprised if the Catalan giants go on to win every game and pick up maximum points. The battle for second place should be between Roma and Bayer Leverkusen and the sides look evenly matched. The two matches between the sides are likely to determine who joins Barca in the knock out stages, and with Roma coming close to qualification last year they may just have the advantage when the two sides meet.

BATE Borisov look like they are in the group to make up the numbers, but having played in the competition before they are no mugs and may fancy their chances of a Europa League spot if they can perform well at home. Barcelona should win the group comfortably, and Roma should have just enough to qualify for the knock out rounds in second place.

Group F

Bayern Munich and Arsenal should qualify from the group fairly comfortably, while the other two teams in the group, Olympiakos and Dianmo Zagreb will be battling it out for the Europa League spot. Although Bayern are still a top team, they do not look like the force they were a few years ago and Arsenal will feel they have a chance of getting revenge on the Germans, who have knocked them out of the competition in the last two years.

Although the teams look closer matched than before, Bayern should still be too good for Arsenal, who are likely to have to settle for second place. Olympiakos will be hoping they can cause an upset or two, but in reality it looks like the best they can hope for is third place. Zagreb will be competitive, but it is unlikely they will cause Arsenal or Bayern too many headaches and will be hoping they can challenge Olynmpiakos for the Europa League Spot.

Group G

Although Chelsea have started the season they should still have more than enough to get out of this group. The hardest match they face will be a return to Mourinho’s old club Porto, although the should have enough to beat the Portuguese side both home and away. Porto look like they are the best of the rest, although they will face difficult matches against Dynamo Kiev and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The battle for third spot could be the most intriguing of all, but it would be a surprise if Kiev didn’t have enough to beat the Israeli side in the battle for third spot. The biggest problem Chelsea face in the group may be the long trips to Ukraine and Israel. This may result in Mourinho resting players, although if Chelsea put out their strongest eleven it is difficult to see them slipping up and not finishing with a perfect record.

Group H

The final group may be the most difficult to call, with Valencia, Zenit and Lyon all having a good chance of qualifying. Lyon look to be a side on the up and will be hoping their young players will be able to make the step up and compete with the other teams in the group.

Valencia will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Atletico Madrid and prove that La Liga is more than two team league, while Zenit, managed by Andre Villas-Boas will be hoping their star players Hulk and Witsel will perform on the big stage and help them qualify. Belgian side Gent may also have a big role to play in the group, as although they will most likely finish last, the results they pick up will impact the final standings of the group. Expect Valencia to top the group with Zenit narrowly finishing ahead of Lyon in second spot.