Group A: A very open group sees Portuguese champions FC Porto, who finished third in their CL group last season, face Dynamo Kyiv, making their first CL appearance since 2009/10. Big spending PSG, finished second in Ligue 1 last season, will play a big part in this group and can get through this group. Croatian side, Dinamo Zagreb, are the minnows of this group. They took part in group stage last season after an 11-year absence. Porto and PSG look the most likely to get through, but Kyiv will have a big say.
Group B: Arsenal will be rather pleased with this group. The English side will face 2011 semi-finalists FC Schalke of Germany, who finished third in the Bundesliga last season. Olympiacos meet Arsenal again, the Greek side finished third in the group last season after losing 2-1 and 3-1 to Arsenal. Champions League débutantes, Montpellier, complete group B after winning Ligue 1 last season, a reunion for Olivier Giroud. Slight deja vu for Arsenal who had French and German competition last season as well as Olympiacos. Should be pretty comfortable for Arsenal with Schalke and Montpellier battling it out for second.
Group C: AC Milan will also be pretty pleased with their group. They face Russian champions, Zenit St.Petersburg, who managed to get through the group stage before being knocked out by Benfica last season. Belgian champions, RSC Anderlecht, make their first Champions League appearance since 06/07 but made it into the second round of the Europa League last season. Big spending Malaga enter the CL for the first time but have financial trouble as of late, they could still be a team to watch in this group though. Milan and Zenit are the most likely to progress.
Group D: This is the Group of Death, or more aptly, the Group of Champions. Premier League Champions, Manchester City, thought they had a difficult group last season after finishing third. But they now face Spanish Champions, Real Madrid, who made it into the semi-finals last season. Dutch Champions, Ajax, face Real Madrid once again after losing 3-0 on both occasions last season and ultimately finishing third in the group. The group is finished off with German Champions, Borussia Dortmund, who will be looking to do better than last year's disappointment of finishing fourth. It's such a hard group to decide, Real Madrid should win it with City and Dortmund fighting for second.
Group E: Defending Champions, Chelsea, face a mixed bag but should be pretty pleased with their draw. They face Ukrainian Champions, Shakhtar Donetsk, who finished fourth in their group last season. Serie A Champions, Juventus, should be the biggest threat for Chelsea with debutante minnows, FC Nordsjaelland, rounding off the group after winning the Danish league last season. Chelsea and Juventus should get through with Donetsk trying to push for progression.
Group F: Last season's runners-up, Bayern Munich, should also be pretty happy with their group but will face a couple of tough challenges. Third in La Liga last season, Valencia, will be looking to build from their third place in the group stages last season. Third in Ligue 1 last season, Lille, will also be hoping for a better campaign this time around after finishing fourth last season. BATE Borisov continue their CL adventure but may not be able to progress from their fourth place from last season. Munich should win the group with Valencia possibly pipping Lille to second.
Group G: Celtic's return to the Champions League sets up a mouth watering tie with Barcelona. Last year's quarter-finalists, Benfica will also give Celtic a tough match with 2010/11 Europa quarter-finalists, Spartak Moscow. Could be rather elementary for Barcelona with Benfica probably out-muscling Celtic for second. Spartak will also provide tough competition for an Europa League.
Group H: A touch of deja vu for Manchester United who will be looking to do much better than they did last season. United faced Portuguese and Romanian competition last campaign and face SC Braga, third in the Portuguese Liga last season, and CFR Cluj, Romanian Champions, this season. A familiar foe in Galatasaray, who were quarter-finalists in 2000/01. United should be quite happy with their group despite a few tough away trips. Galatasaray could easily finish second with Braga their main competition.
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