Champions League Group Stage Draw Results and Predictions.

By Samrin Hasib (Scribe)
Written on August 27, 2009

This year's Champions League draw has just been completed in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
During the draw, John Terry was announced as the best defender in Europe, Edwin van der Sar the best goalkeeper, Xavi the best midfielder, and Lionel Messi the best forward. The European Player of the Year award went to Lionel Messi.
Now let's take a look at the draw.

Group A
FC Bayern Munchen, Juventus, Bordeaux, Maccabi Haifa
This is indeed an interesting group. A lot will depend on the teams' form, especially Bayern. Juventus and Bayern do not have recent success in the Champions League. Bayern were knocked out in the quarters and Juve in the round of 16 last year.
Maccabi Haifa are an interesting lot, and they have previous Champions League experience, while Bordeaux might spring a surprise or two in the group stages.
Prediction: Bayern, unable to find form, will falter in the first hurdle. I doubt they will go through. My picks are Juve and Bordeaux.

Group B
Man United, CSKA Moscow, Besiktas, Wolfsburg
This group is quite unpredictable. Man United are the firm favourites, but the second spot is up for grabs. Wolfsburg are a dangerous side, but this will be their first-ever entry into the Champions League. They no longer have Felix Magath at the helm.
Besiktas beat Liverpool 2-1 the last time they participated in the competition, only to lose 8-0 in the reverse fixture. Moscow and Vagner Love will be ones to watch out for though.
Prediction: Moscow might fall in the first hurdle. I think Man United and Wolfsburg go through to the next round.

Group C
AC Milan, Real Madrid, Marseille, Zurich
Kaka will get to see his former employers earlier than expected. Real, with their powers (and huge debts), will be up against a weakened AC Milan. Marseille disappointed badly in the last edition, and Zurich lack experience.
Prediction: I will go with AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Group D
Chelsea, Porto, Atletico Madrid, APOEL Nicosia
While one side of Madrid will travel to Italy, the other side will travel to Portugal. Porto were the ones who knocked out Atletico in the last edition, painfully on the away goals rule. Atletico will definitely be seeking revenge. APOEL Nicosia are first-timers in the Champions League.
Prediction: Chelsea will go through alongside Atletico. I am not as sure about Atletico, though, because Porto will definitely not go down without a fight.

Group E
Liverpool, Lyon, Fiorentina, Debrecen
Lyon and Fiorentina were part of the same group in the last edition of the competition. Lyon had to work hard to earn a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina. Lyon now have Lisandro Lopez instead of Karim Benzema, who is a quality forward without a doubt. Liverpool hardly falter at the first hurdle in Europe. Debrecen are newcomers to the competition.
Prediction: Liverpool will go through with Lyon. Fiorentina, though, might have something to say about that second spot.

Group F
Barcelona, Inter Milan, Rubin Kazan, Dynamo Kyiv
Samuel Eto'o will face Pep Guardiola, and he would definitely love to get one over his former employer. Russian champions Rubin Kazan will represent Russia alongside CSKA. Dynamo Kyiv could prove to be a dark horse.
Prediction: Barcelona and Inter Milan will go through to the next round.

Group G
Sevilla, Stuttgart, Rangers, Unirea Urziceni
Sevilla and Stuttgart both return to the competition after short absences. Rangers finally replace Celtic as the main representative of Scotland in the competition. Unirea are a Romanian side making their debut in the Champions League. Romanian sides are never easy to beat.
Prediction: I expect Sevilla and Stuttgart to go through. Rangers, however, might emerge as a dark horse.

Group H
Arsenal, AZ Alkmaar, Olympiacos, Standard Liege
Arsenal are the team to beat in this group. AZ has done well recently in the UEFA Cup by reaching the quarters and semis. Olympiacos are quite accustomed to the Champions League. Standard Liege is the sole representative of Belgium in the competition.
Prediction: Arsenal should go through; it is, however, quite difficult to foresee who will grab the second spot. I will go with AZ.

My predictions could be correct, or I could be absolutely wrong. I am hopeful Bayern will find form soon. Anyways, this time the competition has more newcomers and probably will be more interesting