Sizing Up the Champions League Prospects: Part 1

The Champions League has now drawn to a close until the New Year, and thus we know which 16 teams will compete in the knock out stages.

All the big hitters managed to qualify—whether it be with ease like Manchester United and Barcelona, or with last matchday wins like Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Celtic managed to qualify ahead of Benfica, and Fenerbahce did well to progress in a group containing PSV, who crashed out into the UEFA Cup.

Ahead of next week's draw to see which teams are paired in the first knock out round, let's take a look at which teams are expected to go close and which are the supposed underdogs.

First up, Groups A-D, to be followed later today by E-H.

 
Group A

Porto topped the group, courtesy of a home win over Besiktas on matchday six. Winners of the Champions League in 2004, they are not expected to make the same impact this time, but have a good group of players. Their home form makes them a danger to anyone drawn against them. Can be paired with any of the group runners up aside from Liverpool.

Liverpool won the trophy in 2005 and were runners up last season, yet only squeezed through thanks to three wins out of their final three games. Now that they are into the knock out rounds, they become a major force—manager Benítez is reknowned for his knack of out-manouvering opponents over two legs, and Liverpool will be a difficult draw for any team. However a second place group finish means they face a group winner; the Reds can draw Real Madrid, AC Milan, Barcelona, Inter Milan, or Sevilla.

 
Group B

Chelsea certainly have the players to mount a serious challenge in the Champions League, but until now have been frustrated in their attempts to win it. Three times in recent seasons they have lost to English opposition in the knock out rounds, despite being a major force in domestic competitions. Chelsea qualified unbeaten from their group, and will be confident in the next round. Can be drawn against Olympiacos, Celtic, Lyon, Roma, or Fenebahce.

Schalke beat Rosenborg in a winner-takes-all game to secure the 2nd spot and qualify for the knock outs. Last season's Bundesliga runners up are currently only 7th in their domestic league, and thus are clearly not playing up to their full potential. But in players such as Rafinha, Kevin Kuranyi, and Zlatan Bajramovic they have the attacking flair to cause teams problems. Can be paired with any group winner in the next round.

 
Group C

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