Champions League Preview – Groups A-C

By: Rob | September 15th, 2008

The Champions League is back again Tomorrow, and it is looking like being one of the most exciting Champions League seasons in years. Will the Prem sides keep up thier recent spell of dominence? Can Man United defend the trophy? Can Barca or Real climb back to the top? Are the Serie A sides ready to take thier place at the top? We’ll be with you every step of the way, from here to Rome.

So here we go, with a preview of each of the groups, starting with the first three. Full Preview, after the jump.

Group A

Chelsea
Roma
Bordeaux
Cluj

Obviously the group is dominated by the runners up of both Serie A and the EPL. Last years
runner-up Chelsea will be strong favourites to get thier group, but with the signing of Baptista, Roma too have strengthened. Bordeaux and Cluj shouldn’t be written off either. The Romanian
side are the first side not from Bucharest to win the Romanian league in 17 years, and the first to qualify for the Champions League groupstage, they are the only Champions of thier national league in this group – Bordeaux were runners up of the French league behind perrenial winners Lyon. The French have a side that could cause a few upsets to the bigger sides.

Players to pick in your Fantasy Team – Mirko Vucinic. Last season much outscored the more expensive Francesco Totti, and made the bench of the CL Team of the Season here on the Offside. Might make the step up to the first team this season.

Prediction – I’m going to play it safe and say Chelsea to win it, Roma second, Bordeaux third, and Cluj last. But i think Bordeaux will push the top two.

Group B

Inter
Werder Bremen
Panathinaikos
Anorthosis Famagusta

On paper, Group B is a walkover for Inter. The side are often accused of underperforming in Europe, but with new coach Jose Mourinho, its tough to see anyone but the Italian champions winning this group. Werder Bremen are a good side featuring well-known names like Tom Weise in goal, Torsten Frings, Clemens Fritz, Naldo, Per Mertesacker and Hugo Almeida. They will challenge Inter, especially if the Serie A side become complacent. Panathinaikos will be a tough proposition for any side. They of course feature former Arsenal captain Gilberto Silva, who has good experience in this competetion. Anorthosis meanwhile are the first Cypriot team to make the CL group stage after beating Greek side Olympiacos. panathinaikos will be very wary of that fact.

Player to Pick in your Fantasy Team – Ibrahimovic. In a group like this, expect the big striker to pull of a fair few moments of magic to make him worth his hefty pricetag.

Prediction – Inter to win the group with Bremen just about second. The UEFA cup space will be very tightly contested.

Group C

Barcelona
Sporting Lisbon
FC Basel
Shaktar

This is an interesting group I think. Barca are the clear favourites, but the Catalan side have a new manager and are amid rebuilding after finishing third in last season’s La Liga. Sporting fell at the group stage last year, when they were drawn with Roma and Manchester United, but they will be stronger in this group. Swiss champions Basel have always been a pretty tough game for anyone, and Shaktar Donstesk looked strong last time, shocking Celtic twice.

Player to Pick In Your Fantasy Team - Bojan Krkic. Much cheaper than Messi, the youngster should begin to be getting in the Barca team more often this season, he showed his magic in a few cameos last time around.

Prediction – Can’t see this one going against the seedings either really, though I think Shaktar might nick the UEFA Cup spot.