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

Real Madrid, the competition record holder with nine titles, qualified reasonably comfortably despite having to wait until the final matchday to secure their passage. Talisman Raúl has found his form again this season, and the likes of Pepe and Marcelo have shored up their previously leaky defence somewhat. The top of La Liga heading into the Christmas break shows a side full of confidence—and while their is little doubting their collective ability, there always seems to be infighting and too much emphasis on individualism at Real. This season under Schuster, they seem to have ironed out many of these problems, and will provide a stern test for any opponent. Expected to be one of the challengers for the title. Can play any group runner up aside from Olympiacos.

Olympiacos' consistent form has seen them through to the first knock out phase for the first time since the 1998/99' season. The Greeks generally have strong home form, and as such will be relying on that to give themselves a chance in the knock outs (although they did pick up two away wins in the group stage this time round). They will be very much unfancied if they get drawn with a big team, but their home crowd will make things uncomfortable for any opposition. Can get any group winner except Real Madrid.

 
Group D

AC Milan, reigning champions, had a fairly straightforward route to the knock out phase. Despite losing to Celtic, they were never seriously troubled—and the experienced campaigners will be looking to be a major force in the competition once again. Their squad list reads like a fantasy football dream team, with Pirlo, Nesta, Ronaldo, Inzaghi, and Kaká, amongst others. However they have yet to record a home win in the league this season, so there are weaknesses to be exploited. Roma and Celtic are the only runners up they cannot face.

Celtic have qualified for the knock out phase for the 2nd successive season, a first for a Scottish side in the Champions League. They will be very much an unfancied side to do  long term damage, but last season they ran eventual winners AC Milan very close, so they are capable of matching the cream of Europe over two legs. Their home ground is always an intimidating place for opposition to go, and they will be another side looking to their home form to raise their chances of winning. Can play any group winners except AC Milan.

The second installment covering Groups E-H will follow later today.