Yesterday’s Champions League draw provided many intriguing encounters to look forward to. Which are they and what are the odds of each team winning its group?
Group A winner Bet365 odds
Atletico Madrid 1.5 (1/2)
Borussia Dortmund 4.33 (10/3)
Monaco 6 (5/1)
Club Brugge 34 (33/1)
Last season turned out well for Atletico Madrid, who didn’t even make it out of the group stage but ended up winning the Europa League. Nevertheless, this year’s main CL obstacle is to not let last season’s failure repeat itself. Borussia Dortmund and Monaco will give Atletico a run for their money, yet it shouldn’t be enough to stop Simeone’s men from topping the group. Dortmund and Monaco should battle it out for second place. Considering how attractive their 2017 quarter-final matchup was (nine goals over two legs), it’s fair to be excited about what’s to come when the two meet on October 3 and December 11.
Group B winner Bet365 odds
Barcelona 1.44 (4/9)
Tottenham 4 (3/1)
Inter 7 (6/1)
PSV 51 (50/1)
Barcelona enters the competition as one of the main favourites once again. Lionel Messi himself promised a Champions League title this season, so the Catalans will have high aspirations in their minds when they take on Tottenham, Inter and PSV. All three teams are dangerous adversaries, especially The Spurs, who beat Real Madrid at Wembley last season and topped a group which included Borussia Dortmund as well. Inter were lucky to qualify on Serie A’s final day last season. However, the Italian side reinforced considerably and will be looking for more than a casual stroll through the Champions League group stage. Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven are in a similar predicament.
Group C winner Bet365 odds
PSG 1.9 (10/11)
Liverpool 2.37 (11/8)
Napoli 7 (6/1)
Red Star Belgrade 151 (150/1)
When it comes to attractive football, it doesn’t get any better than the prospect of watching PSG and Liverpool face off in Champions League Group C. Other than Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford, it’ll probably be the most anticipated matchup of the group stage. Napoli was unlucky and drew the short straw again. Carlo Ancelotti will do everything in his power to counter PSG and Liverpool, but in all likelihood, it won’t be enough. Settling for third place might not be so bad for Napoli, who have the squad to get far in the Europa League.
Group D winner Bet365 odds
Porto 2.25 (5/4)
Schalke 3 (2/1)
Galatasaray 6 (5/1)
Lokomotiv Moscow 6.5 (11/2)
Top-seeded Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow must be satisfied to have avoided all the “big guns” and be drawn in a group they can actually progress from. Porto finds themselves in a similar group to last year’s. They were the favourites then yet they finished behind Besiktas. Another Turkish side (Galatasaray) awaits and they’re as potent as Besiktas were. This group is as even as it could possibly be.
Group E winner Bet365 odds
Bayern Munich 1.14 (1/7)
Benfica 8.5 (15/2)
Ajax 11 (10/1)
AEK Athens 81 (80/1)
On the face of it, Group E appears easy to predict. Bayern Munich is the huge favourite to finish first, Benfica and Ajax will compete for second place, while AEK Athens are the outsiders. We’ll see whether it’s as simple as that. Even it is, Ajax’s offensive firepower should make for some enthralling encounters.
Group F winner Bet365 odds
Manchester City 1.18 (2/11)
Lyon 9 (8/11)
Shakhtar Donetsk 13 (12/1)
Hoffenheim 17 (16/1)
Manchester City drew three opponents who can score against them. From that point of view, it will be a lively group to follow. Lyon, Shakhtar and Hoffenheim are relatively equal teams, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Shakhtar will rely on Brazilian flair and experience, Lyon will rely on Fekir, Depay and the talent which surrounds them, whereas Hoffenheim will rely on one the best young coaches in the game – Julian Nagelsmann.
Group G winner Bet365 odds
Real Madrid 1.16 (1/6)
Roma 5.5 (9/2)
CSKA Moscow 34 (33/1)
Viktoria Plzen 41 (40/1)
Roma should be able to challenge Real Madrid for the first spot in the group, but even if they don’t succeed, second place is nearly guaranteed considering the strength and reputation of the remaining two Group G participants.
Group H winner Bet365 odds
Juventus 1.5 (1/2)
Manchester United 3.75 (11/4)
Valencia 6.5 (11/2)
Young Boys 101 (100/1)
Well, well, well… Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester to face his old club. A worse scenario couldn’t have developed for The Red Devils, who are in major turmoil at the moment. The matchup between Ronaldo and Mourinho will be interesting, but it would be even more interesting if Mourinho got fired and replaced by Zinedine Zidane by October 23, the day when these two teams are scheduled to meet for the first time.
Don’t sleep on Valencia, though. They’re not off to the best start in the domestic league, but they have the talent to disrupt the favourites’ calculations.
The 2018/19 Champions League group stage officially starts on Tuesday, September 18.
