Champions League Draw Relatively Kind for English Clubs

Given it is their debut in the competition Spurs were always going find their Champions League group tough going. But for the other English sides in the competition the draw has been relatively kind.
The highlight in Tottenham's fixture list will undoubtedly be Rafa Benitez's Inter Milan. The current holders boast an array of world-class players and although it would be hasty to say that Spurs are playing for second place, boss Redknapp will admit the Italians are worthy favourites to top the group.

Teams from Holland and Germany may not hold the mystery and command the air miles that say clubs from Eastern Europe do, but they will be well drilled. FC Twente are fresh from lifting the Dutch title last season, which meant finishing above Martin Jol's impressive Ajax outfit. Werder Bremen meanwhile finished third in the Bundesliga last time out and although they have lost their creative heart, Mezut Ozil, to Real Madrid, they have plenty of Champions League experience.

All in all though it is a draw Spurs shouldn't fear. They are in the competition on merit after finishing fourth in a very tough league last year and if they show confidence in their own ability then they have every chance of progressing.

Elsewhere the draw has presented few problems, on paper at least, for Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Arsenal will have lengthy trips east to Russia and Serbia, but provided they can cope with the distances they should have enough quality to overcome Shaktar Donetsk, complete with former Gunners striker Eduardo, and Partizan Belgrade.

Portuguese side Braga are the wildcard as they are making their debut in the competition. They showed their quality by overcoming Celtic and Sevilla in the qualifying round, but once again the Gunners greater experience and nous should see them through as group winners. The Champions League odds make them strong favourites to top the group.

Given the Old Firm's recent struggles the Battle of Britain tag has lost much of its relevance as Premier League sides have had little recent trouble against their Scottish counterparts. That should be the case for Man United against Rangers, who will probably just be grateful for the prize money given their recent financial troubles. Turkish Champions Bursapor will provide the Red Devils with a noisy reception in Turkey, but like Besiktas last year it should provide Sir Alex Ferguson's men with few problems. Valencia will perhaps be the sternest test, but shorn of David Villa and David Silva, they are not the force they once were. The online betting tips suggest the side will struggle to make a major impression.

The eye-catcher for Chelsea is the trip to Didier Drogba's old club Marseille, who are managed by ex-Blues star Didier Deschamps. However, in truth Chelsea could afford to slip up in France and still top the group as Slovakian champions Zilina and Spartak Moscow should provide little resistance, especially at Stamford Bridge.

In fact, looking at the draw as a whole, I wouldn't bet against all four Premier League clubs making it throughout to the knock out stages.