2010/11 UEFA Champions League Group Stage Predictions

We’ve already shown you the groups for the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League campaign, but now it’s prediction time. I’ll break down and analyze every group, as well as giving you all my predictions for this year’s group stage.

Group A:

This is in my mind, either the hardest or second hardest group this year. With holders Inter Milan being a force to be reckoned with, the group is capped off by Tottenham Hotspur, Werder Bremen, and FC Twente. Other than the departure of Jose Mourinho, the Inter squad has only got stronger from last season. With Wesley Sneijder pulling the strings for the Italian side, as well as a host of stars acting as the cast around him, the only way I see Inter not winning this group is poor management and tactical skills from Rafa Benitez. The second team to go through is a much trickier item. The other three teams all have talent, there is no doubt about that. Tottenham Hotspur have shown in the Premier League and in the Champions League qualifiers that they have talent. They destroyed Young Boys at White Hart Lane, with Peter Crouch grabbing a hat-trick, and Gareth Bale is on the form of his life right now. Werder Bremen stole a crucial qualification from the jaws of death in the group stage qualifiers, proving they have resilience, however, without Mesut Ozil pulling the strings for them, I don’t see them qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition. FC Twente on the other hand, just finished last season as the Eridivisie champions, and have managed to retain most of their key players. I believe that the second team to go through will be decided on the last day of the group stages between the English and Dutch side. My heart says Spurs, my brain says Twente.

Group B:

One of the weakest and easiest groups in the competition, I won’t go too far into depth about the clubs as I believe most of them are all pretty mediocre. I mean, sure it takes talent to reach the Champions League, but with respect, I don’t see any of them going past the Round of 16. I believe last year’s semi-finalists, Lyon will slip up, allowing Schalke to take first in the group, and Benfica will finish right behind them.

Group C:

This group is quite a bit harder, with perennial powerhouse Manchester United being drawn with Valencia, Rangers, and Bursapor. Once again, I think the Red Devils will make easy work of the other sides as they just have too much quality and firepower to be stopped by nearly any club in the world, much less any of these sides. However, second place is very much open and up for grabs. Rangers dominated the Scottish Premier League last year, and are quite a strong side. I believe the Valencia of last year would have nicked second spot, however, with the losses of David Silva and David Villa, I feel the Spanish side will be overwhelmed in this year’s campaign. To top off the group are Turkish side, Bursapor. I have the feeling this dark horse may grab the second spot from the Scottish champions. While they are relatively unknown to many, they are a sparky and energetic side who have the ability to attack.

Group D:

Barcelona have been drawn with Rubin Kazan (in the same group last year), Panathanaikos, and Kobenhavn. While the names if the other three clubs may not sound familiar to you, don’t be surprised if Barca are pushed to their limits in this potentially tricky group. If you remember, Rubin Kazan beat the Catalan giants last year in the group stage, as well as holding them to a draw in the second tie. The Russian side so nearly qualified for the knock out rounds, but just fell short behind eventual winners Inter and the aforementioned Barcelona. I still see the La Liga champions winning the group, but I don’t think it will be easy by any means.

Group E:

Another toss up group is E. With last year’s finalists, Bayern Munich looking strong this season and constant Champions League qualifier AS Roma in the group, qualifying was always going to be hard, but with FC Basel and CFR Cluj thrown into the mix, it will be a very difficult group. Bayern were very strong last season, very nearly winning the treble, and are probably even stronger this season. World Cup break-through star, Thomas Mueller has proved that he is capable of the top level despite his young age, and that’s just the start of the list. Munich also have in their ranks Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and many other stars. AS Roma are always strong as well, and with the recent signing of Bayern star Luca Toni, the two ties between the sides will be very interesting and intriguing to watch. They also shouldn’t write off the games they have against the other two sides who have the potential to be giant killers. I still see Bayern Munich and AS Roma going through, but not without difficulty.

Group F:

Chelsea have been grouped with Olympique de Marseille, Spartak Moscow, and MSK Zilina. I can’t really see Chelsea being troubled by any of these teams; their recent form has been astounding and they seem to be unstoppable. I also see Marseille qualifying to the round of 16, however it will be much trickier for them then it will be for Chelsea. I think Moscow will push the French club, but Marseille will seal the second spot by 1 point.

Group G:

AC Milan and Real Madrid have been paired together again, and the two most successful European clubs of all time will also be playing with Ajax and AJ Auxerre. This is the proclaimed, ‘Group of Death’, and just by looking at the clubs in the group and the quality they bring to the table, you can see why. In a way, I feel bad for the French and Netherlands sides as they would have a very good chance of going through to the knockout rounds in almost any other group, but alas, they have to make do with the draw they’ve received. I believe that Real Madrid will go unbeaten in the group, just because of the man they have at the helm of a complete side of all star players. If you checked out our predictions for the new season, you’ll see I’ve chosen the Spanish side to lift the trophy at the end of the season. AC Milan will be the other team to go through, but probably just by the scrape of their teeth. While they play entertaining football, their ability to defend worries me. Especially when lined up against world class strikers such as Luis Suarez of Ajax, the back four may be left exposed. However, I still see the side going through.

Group H:

To round off the groups are Arsenal, Shaktar Donetsk, SC Braga, and FK Partizan. While the English side enter the group as favorites, this group definitely has the potential to be a trick one. Shaktar Donetsk man, Eduardo will lead his side out against his former club, however I believe the Ukranian club won’t do much in this group. The two sides I see fighting it out for second in the group are Portuguese side Braga, and Partizan from Serbia. They both are strong sides who shouldn’t be overlooked by Arsene Wenger and his men. I see Braga pulling through though at the end, coming second to Arsenal.