Champions League Group Stage Draw Results

Last year, it was in Nyon, this year the draw has just been completed in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

During the draw, John Terry was announced as the best defender in Europe, Edwin Van Der Sar the best goalkeeper, Xavi the best midfielder and Lionel Messi the best forward. The European Player of the Year award went to Lionel Messi.

Now, finally, let's take a look at the draw;

Group A: FC Bayern Munchen, Juventus, Bordeaux, Maccabi Haifa

This is indeed an interesting group. A lot will depend on the form of the teams, especially Bayern. Juventus and Bayern do not have recent success in the Champions League. Bayern were knocked out in the quarters and Juve in the round of sixteen in the last edition.

Maccabi Haifa are an interesting lot and they have previous Champions League experience while Bordeaux might spring a surprise or two in the group stages.

Prediction: Bayern unable to find form will falter in the first hurdle. I doubt whether they will go through. My picks are thus Juve and Bordeaux from this group.

Group B: Man United, CSKA Moscow, Besiktas, Wolfsburg.

This group is quite unpredictable. Man United are the firm favourites but the second spot is up for grabs. Wolfsburg are a dangerous side but this will be their first entry into the Champions League. They also no longer have Felix Magath at the healm. Beskitas beat Liverpool 2-1 the last time they participated in the competition only to get beaten 8-0 in the reverse fixture. Moscow and Vagner Love will be ones to watch out for though.

Prediction: Moscow might fall in the first hurdle. I think man United and Wolfsburg will go through to the next round.

Group C: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Marseille, Zurich

Kaka will be getting to see his former employers earlier than expected. Real with their powers (and huge debts) will be up against a weakened AC Milan. Marseille disappointed badly in the last edition and Zurich lack experience.

Prediction: I will go with AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Group D: Chelsea, Porto, Atletico Madrid, APOEL Nicosia

While one side of Madrid will be travelling to Italy, the other side will be travelling to Portugal. Porto were the ones who knocked out Atletico in the last edition painfully on the away-goals rule. Atletico will definitely be seeking revenge. APOEL Nicosia are first-timers in the Champions League.

Prediction: Chelsea will go through alongside Atletico. I am not too sure about Atletico though as Porto will definitely not go down without a fight.

Group E: Liverpool, Lyon, Fiorentina, Debrecen

Lyon and Fiorentina were part of the same group in the last edition of the competition. Lyon had to work hard to earn a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina. Lyon now have Lisandro Lopez instead of Karim Benzema who is a quality forward without a doubt. Liverpool hardly falter at the first hurdle in Europe. Debrecen are newcomers into the competition.

Prediction: Liverpool will go through with Lyon. Fiorentina, though, might have something to say about that seond spot.

Group F: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Rubin Kazan, Dynamo Kyiv

Samuel Eto'o will be facing Pep Guordiola and he will definitely love to get one over his former employer. Russian champions Rubin Kazan will represent Russia alongside CSKA. Dynamo Kyiv could prove to be a dark horse.

Prediction: Barcelona and Inter will go through to the next round.

Group G: Sevilla, Stuttgart, Rangers, Unirea Urcizeni

Sevilla and Stuttgart both return to the competition after a short absence. Rangers finally replace Celtic as the main representative of Scotland in the competition. Unirea are a Romanian side who are debutants in the Champions League. Romanian sides are never easy to beat.

Prediction: I expect Sevilla and Stuttgart to go through. Rangers, however, might emerge as dark horses.

Group H: Arsenal, AZ Alkmaar, Olympiacos, Standard Liege

Arsenal are the team to beat in this group. AZ has done well recently in the UEFA Cup by reaching the quarters and semis. Olymiacos are quite accustomed to the Champions League. Standard Liege is the sole representative of Belgium in the competition.

Prediction: Arsenal should go through; it is however quite difficult to foresee who will grab the second spot. I will go with AZ.

My predictions could be correct or I could be absolutely wrong. I am hopeful that Bayern will find form soon. Anyways, this time, the competition has more newcomers and probably will be more interesting.

On a more intertesting note: Go Arsenal (and Bayern)!