Real Madrid, Inter Milan and the Champions League Groups of Death

Groups A and G are widely recognised as the clichéd but accurate "Groups of Death" in this year's edition of the Champions League, featuring European heavyweights like Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and rivals AC Milan. 

Which of these teams have the best chance of breaking out of their groups and mounting a charge deep into the knockouts?

Group A

• FC Twente
• Inter Milan
• Tottenham Hotspur
• Werder Bremen

Of the two groups, Group A probably shades it as the most difficult. Any of these teams could make it out and any are capable of beating any of the others.

General football knowledge would cite Inter Milan winning this group, but we have yet to get a real feel of how their new manager will look to utilise his team, and what approach to Europe he will take. The team he has inherited is still largely based around the winners of last years CL, but I still cannot see Inter doing it again. The loss of Jose Mourinho is a severe one and Inter may just lack the tactical nous to beat the best. 

Werder Bremen have some European pedigree, reaching the final of the UEFA Cup two seasons ago. The loss of Mesut Oezil has so far not been as catastrophic as many predicted, with the likes of Marko Marin and Aaron Hunt stepping into the void left by Oezil neatly. One serious problem is the loss of Per Mertesacker to injury while Naldo is also injured. This leaves Sebastian Proedel and Mikel Silvestre as starting CB's (Arsenal fans will surely have some sympathy here) but Werder are not often cited as defensively sound on good days. 

Tottenham beat Manchester City to the fourth spot last season meaning that they are the "other" English representative in the CL. They have a large and good quality squad and an able manager, and with a little luck, might just make a splash in Europe.

Twente fans must be cursing their luck following the draws. Steve McClaren's ex-team broke the Dutch monopoly on the championship and Europe is their reward, but miracles aside, they will be going home early. That being said, Twente are no one's fools and will look to make life difficult for their more illustrious foes.

I expect Milan to suffer a scare or two along the way but to narrowly top the group due to the quality of their squad. The other spot will go to either Werder or Tottenham; Werder have European experience but are suffering serious personnel shortages so its incredibly difficult to predict who will beat who. A safer bet might be a home win for each against the other. Both are also capable of taking points from a confident Milan side. I'd be surprised if Twente didn't get a point, but ultimately, their lack of individual quality will be made to count against them.

Predicted Table Result 

• Inter Milan
• Werder Bremen
• Tottenham Hotspur
• FC Twente 

Group G

• AC Milan
• Ajax
• AJ Auxerre 
• Real Madrid

Group G is another very nasty proposition, especially for the likes of Madrid and Milan, who will be competing on three fronts. 

AC Milan have made some very interesting transfers toward the end of the market opening and have strengthened their attack considerably. Indeed the so-called "Fearsome" or "Fabulous"  Foursome in the form of whizkid Alexandre Pato, Barcelona flop Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester City cast-off Robhino, and ageing superstar Ronaldinho could form an unstoppable attacking quintet, which could well see AC cast off Inter's recent stranglehold on the Italian competition.

Ajax have somehow retained the services of one of Europe's most prolific marksmen, Louis Suarez, and have added Egyptian Mido into the mix too. They have not been the same European force that they once were for many years, but still expect them to offer some stern opposition to their richer opponents, especially at the impressive and hostile Amsterdam Arena. 

Auxerre have made an inauspicious start to the season, amassing just three points from four games. Ultimately, they will offer plenty of heart but will lack the necessary quality to repeat their compatriot's achievements of last season. Unfortunately for them, it may well be a long CL trudge, and there may be some rather hefty beatings awaiting. Looking at the group, the manager may well focus his efforts on the league rather then Europe, and few would blame him for it.  

Last, but by no means least, come the infamous Spanish "Galacticos," Real Madrid. For once, the coach is as big a celebrity as his players and Jose Mourinho and Madrid might just be a match made in heaven. With the likes of the world's best player, Christiano Ronaldo, German wunderkind Mesut Oezil, and safehands Iker Casillas, it is unlikely that the same dour tactics which won Mourinho the CL last season will be replicated. Mourinho's teams are rarely spectacular but they are normally successful and I would not be surprised if Mourinho made history and won the CL consecutively, in the process becoming the only man to win it with three different clubs. 

Predicted Table Result

• Real Madrid
• AC Milan
• Ajax
• AJ Auxerre

There you have it, a brief look at the most difficult groups in this year's Champions League. Am I on the money? Or have I criminally underrated anyone? Let me know below.