Predicting the main groups: who will advance to the eight finals and who will be left without Europe in the spring?

The Champions League is back, with the first matches starting on Tuesday evening, this time in the main groups for the last time, and from next season onwards the league system will be 10 matches. So who will advance to the eighth round and who will be left without Europe in the spring?

Group A – Manchester United, Bayern, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray

Two clear favourites at first glance. But Galatasaray have brought in big stars like Hakim Ziyech, Wilfried Zaha and Tanguy Ndombele, with Dries Mertens, Mauro Icardi and Angelino also in the squad. And with Manchester United’s current form…

Location Tip:
1. Bayern
2. Manchester United
3. Galatasaray
4. Copenhagen

Group B – Arsenal, Lens, PSV, Sevilla

Arsenal should win the group, but what next? Sevilla can do it in Europe, but more in the Europa League than the Champions League. It hasn’t done well at the start of the season, only now has it recorded its first win. But the arrival of Ramos could be promising.

Prediction:
1. Arsenal
2. Sevilla
3. PSV
4. Lens

Group C – Union Berlin, Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga

Anything other than Real Madrid not advancing with Napoli would be a giant shock. Union Berlin is a likeable club that can certainly upset, but it probably won’t be enough for more than third place. Not much is expected from Braga.

Positioning Tip:
1. Real Madrid
2. Napoli
3. Union Berlin
4. Braga

Group D – Real Sociedad, Salzburg, Inter, Benfica

Quite an open group, where things could go either way. Inter are last year’s finalists, but Benfica will be a traditionally strong team and Real Sociedad and Salzburg will also want to make their mark.

Prediction:
1. Benfica
2. Inter
3. Real Sociedad
4. Salzburg

Group E – Lazio, Feyenoord, Atlético Madrid, Celtic

Last year’s utter failure, when Atlético Madrid finished last in the group, must now be clearly rectified by the Colchoneros. Feyenoord and Lazio should battle it out for the second promotion spot.

Prediction:
1. Atlético Madrid
2. Feyenoord
3. Lazio
4. Celtic

Group F – PSG, Dortmund, Newcastle, AC Milan

Group of Death. Objectively the toughest group from which anyone can advance. Even last year PSG would have been the clear favourites, after Messi and Neymar’s departure and a poor start to the season this is not the case. It could go either way, but this is the most likely scenario:

Location Tip:
1. PSG
2. Dortmund
3. Newcastle
4. AC Milan

Group G – CZ Belgrade, Manchester City, Young Boys, Leipzig

Manchester City and Leipzig are an inseparable pair, playing against each other in the Champions League on a fairly regular basis. How will Guélor Kanga and Peter Olayinka do in Group G in a Belgrade jersey?

Prediction:
1. Manchester City
2. Leipzig
3. CZ Belgrade
4. Young Boys

Group H – Antwerp, Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar

Barcelona were praying to finally get an easy group to advance from. After all, the last two years they have already dropped out in the group. The fate was very kind to her this time.

Prediction:
1. Barcelona
2. Porto
3. Shakhtar
4. Antwerp

Source: UEFA