Group A: This group is one of two possible groups of death. German giants and hosts of this season's final, Bayern Munich, are joined by Villarreal with their star striker Giuseppe Rossi. This group features two debutantes but both can earn results, we all know about Manchester City but Napoli complete this group. Napoli finished third in Serie A last season, players to watch out for are Uruguayan internationals Edinson Cavani and Walter Gargano, vice-captain and Slovak international Marek Hamsik and Turkish international Gokhan Inler. For me, Bayern and City will progress into the knock-out phase but it's going to be a real battle for the Europa League place, I'm going to say Villarreal.
Group B: Inter Milan have a decent group which they should win. They will face CSKA Moscow and Lille. Turkish champions Fenerbache were kicked out of this competition by their FA for match fixing and are replaced by Champions League debutantes Trabzonspor. Trabzonspor have mainly a Turkish side, but their biggest import is former Spurs player, Didier Zokora. Inter shouldn't have much problem winning this group. Moscow should beat Lille to second but unfortunately, I think Trabzonspor will have an unhappy debut campaign.
Group C: Manchester United have been dealt a nice draw. They face their 1968 runners-up Benfica who lost 4-2 to United that year. Swiss side FC Basel and debutantes Otelul Galati from Romania complete the line-up. Galati won the Romanian league last season, two players to look out for are Romanian international Sorin Frunza and Peruvian international Daniel Chavez. United shouldn't really lose a game in this group stage and Benfica should also progress into the knock-out phase. Basel should get Europa league with Galati bringing up the rear.
Group D: Could also be a potential group of death. Real Madrid face Lyon and Ajax. Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb make their second appearance in the competition. Zagreb's player to watch in Croat Jerko Leko. I think Real will win this group, it'll be a tough fight between Lyon and Ajax for second but i think Lyon will just about come on top. Zagreb won't stand much of a chance against these three giants.
Group E: Chelsea have a potentially difficult group this year. Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen have both caused upsets in the past but Chelsea should be able to handle them. Belgian champions Genk complete the group. Portsmouth fans may remember Anthony Vanden Borre who had a loan spell on the South coast. Genk's other notable player is Belgian star Thomas Buffel. Chelsea should win the group but it's an extremely tight contest for second and third, I think Leverkusen will pinch it, leaving Genk in fourth.
Group F: Arsenal have a similar group to Chelsea in that it should be okay but there could be potential upset. Olympique Marseille and Greek giants Olympiakos are joined by German Champions Borussia Dortmund. Arsenal and Marseille should get through but Dortmund will put up a big challenge. Olympiakos will finish last.
Group G: This is a very open group. Europa League winners Porto will face last year's Champions League quarter-finalists Shakhtar Donetsk. Russia's Zenit St.Petersburg make their second appearance as do Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia. For me Nicosia will finish fourth, any one of the other three could win this group. I think Donetsk will just about come out on top with Porto stealing second.
Group H: As the draw progressed, this group started to look like another group of death. Champions Barcelona and AC Milan were paired together but will face BATE Borisov and Czech debutantes Viktoria Plzen. BATE or Plzen could make it into Europa, I think it'll be BATE, but both will be thrashed by Barca and Milan. For me, Barca should win the group.
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