Champions League Preview Group D-F

By: Rob | September 15th, 2008

Part two of my look at the Champions League, which kicks off again tomorrow. You can go and read Part One here. Groups D, E and F are where its at in this preview, and it features some of the biggest teams. At least one group of death, the defending champions, and a Spanish-derby. Of Sorts (clue: Liverpool).

Full preview after the jump

Group D

Liverpool
PSV
Marseille
Athletico Madrid

A staggeringly tough group to call. Liverpool have the history, and are usually better in the Champions League so they naturally go in as favourites. PSV won the Dutch league again last year and have a strong side. Liverpool and Marseille know each other well, the french side almost knocked Liverpool out of the group stage last year, and with the signing of Lyon’s Ben Afra, l’OM are going to be contenders to get through. Of course that is if they can get past Athlético Madrid who join thier city neighbours in the competetion for the first time in years. They have a lot of great players – Sergio Aguero, Simao, Maniche and Johnny Heitenga – so they are sure to be stong in this competetion.

Player You Should Pick For Your Fantasy Team – Hard to say in this group, as its so tight as to who will progress. It should be an attacker, as I think this group will have alot of goals. And there are few better strikers than El Nino, Fernando Torres.

Prediction – Owch. I think Athletico Madrid and Liverpool, just about from l’OM and PSV. But it could go any way really.

Group E

Manchester United
Villarreal
Celtic
Aalborg

Defending Champions Manchester United are drawn into a tricky group that they should progress from. Villarreal finsihed 2nd in La Liga last season ahead of Barcelona, and ex-Man United striker Diego Forlan has been on fire for them. Celtic provide the inevitable ‘Battle of Britian’, and have recently beaten United. Aalborg will be desperate to show they aren’t just making up the numbers, but I don’t see them escaping this group.

Who To Pick for your Fantasy Football side – Diego Forlan. Man United fans who remember is spell in the EPL might scoff, but he has proved himself to be one of the most dangerous strikers in La Liga, and he’ll have a point to prove when he revists Old Trafford.

Prediction – Man United should win the group, and I think Villarreal will just about have enough to get past Celtic.

Group F

Lyon
Bayern
Steaua
Fiorentina

This, I think is the Group of Death, though there are a few this season. French champions Lyon are the seeded team, and have a decent Champions League record in recent years. German Champions Bayern Munich were notable for thier absence from the competition last year, which provoked them into buying Luca Toni, who duely fired them to the title. Fiorentina nicked past AC Milan to grab Serie A’s last Champions League spot, providing a return for Toni against his old club. Steaua were very nearly not alowed to compete in this years Champions League, but they fought thier banning in the courts and are rewarded with an impossible task.

Player to Pick in Your Fantasy Team – Luca Toni. The Italian had a dreadful Euro 2008, but he’ll want to prove himself on the big stage, and this is an ample oppurtunity.

Prediction – I geniunely think Fiorentina, Bayern or Lyon could win it, I think its going to be incredibly close. I would guess Bayern and Lyon will get through. But I wouldn’t be shocked to see Fiorentina get through either. Steaua I feel a touch sorry for – they won’t be pushovers, but I don’t see them getting through.