First, the groups:
A
Chelsea
Roma
Bordeaux
CFR Cuj
Analysis: Dangerous Roma presents a threat to Chelsea at the top, but there's no stopping the Blues here.
B
Inter
Bremen
Panathinaikos
Anorthosis
Analysis: Mourinho's group is a breeze. Bremen and Panathinaikos battle for second behind Inter.
C
Barcelona
Sporting
Basel
Shaktar
Analysis: Barca draws well. Sporting may finally escape the group stage, having beaten Basel in the UEFA Cup last year, 5-0. Shaktar may have something to say there as well.
D
Liverpool
PSV
Marseille
Atletico Madrid
Analysis: Pretty tight fit here with Liverpool, PSV, Atletico and Marseille trading blows. This could come down to some tie-breakers.
E
Manchester United
Villareal
Celtic
Aalborg
Analysis: Aalborg guarantees three points for the remainder of the group. United favored with Villareal edging Celtic? Maybe?
F
Lyon
Bayern
Steaua
Fiorentina
Analysis: Bayern returns to the Champions League and hits formidable opponents at all turns. Lyon and Bayern cannot afford a slip.
G
Arsenal
Porto
Fenerbahce
Dinamo Kyiv
Analysis: Fenerbahce snuck into the final eight last year, but Arsenal and Porto may not permit this.
H
Real Madrid
Juventus
Zenit
Bate
Analysis: Interesting return to the Champions League for Juventus. Real Madrid gets in. Zenit and Juve will battle for second.
OBLIGATORY GROUP OF DEATH: D or F -- you choose. I'll say D.
UPSET BOUND TO HAPPEN: Zenit over Juventus for second in Group H; Sporting getting to the knockout stage.
2 comments:
Please e-mail at lonnie@championsleaguetalk.com, I'd like to discuss blogging in more detail.
Come on, man,
Group H is undoubtedly the Group of death. Why? Moscow is the most difficult place to travel and Zenit with Arshavin will be difficult to deal at their place.
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