Champions League Preview: Groups A-D

By Brian Lofrumento | 28th August 2008

Champions League Preview: Groups A-D | read this item

This afternoon’s Champions League draw in Monaco went a long way towards exciting fans for the upcoming season of European football. The four English clubs in particular have a lot to be excited about as there are some very enticing ties on the books.

Group A

In Group A, Chelsea will square off against Roma, Bordeaux, and Romanian side CFR Cluj. With Chelsea and Roma heavy favorites, Bordeaux will certainly make it a fight. With their prestigious youth academy, Bordeaux has a tendency of unearthing some teenage gems, and the club will be licking their lips at the prospect of playing Roma and Chelsea. CFR Cluj won’t be striking fear into anyone, but it’ll be a great experience for the small club. Prediction: 1. Chelsea 2. Roma 3. Bordeaux 4. CFR Cluj

Group B

Group B is also the home of two European powerhouses in Inter Milan and Werder Bremen. These two heavyweights will face off against Greek side Panathinaikos and a smaller club from Cyprus in Anorthosis Famagusta. Inter and Werder should move on comfortably, but Panathinaikos are a decent side who have been in the Champions League before. Prediction: 1. Inter Milan 2. Werder Bremen 3. Panathinaikos 4. Anorthosis

Group C

Group C is the home of Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, FC Basel, and Shakhtar Donetsk. While Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon appear clear favorites in this group, all four teams will fancy their chances at sneaking through to the next round. Barca and Sporting will be hoping to roll over Basel and Shakhtar, but neither of these sides will be easy to beat. I expect Barca and Sporting to move on, but one of the other sides could sneak into second place over Sporting. Prediction: 1. Barcelona 2. Sporting Lisbon 3. Shakhtar 4. Basel

Group D

The group of death in this year’s Champions League appears to be Group D (although Group F might have something to say about that). Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, and Atletico Madrid make up this group, and all four of them have a realistic chance of not only advancing, but winning this group. Liverpool have been grabbing narrow one goal victories so far, and their opponents will be hoping this continues. PSV are Dutch powerhouses who can hold their own against any European side on their day. Marseille are a talented French side, although the loss of Djibril Cisse might have an impact on their European hopes. Atletico Madrid are an incredible side who boast many players that would slot into any Premier League club. This will be another chance for the world to see the silky skills of Sergio Aguero, one of the world’s top talents. Prediction: 1. Atletico Madrid 2. Liverpool 3. PSV Eindhoven 4. Marseille

Discuss these groups and much more at the Premiership Talk Forum! Check back for Groups E-H tomorrow!