Champions League Preview

The Champions League returns tonight and has the sort of look it should have as a tournament of such prestige – No Mourinho and a Spurs side gracing Wembley. That is how it should be.

The richest club tournament in the world, and attempts by some to make it even richer and guarantee certain clubs an income, highlights a lot of what is wrong with today’s football. But as a fan, it is still the competition we want to see our teams in and a trophy we want to win. Personally, I am still in the camp of winning the FA cup as opposed to top 4, but I am now in a small minority as our domestic trophies fall prey to this juggernaut of a competition.

In Group A I fancy Arsenal to finish top. PSG have lost Zlatan and their manager, and have gone down the road of appointing a new manager who is renowned for Europa League glory. He may well succeed but I doubt it. From the outset in the Champions League you are up against quality and PSG face tough matches against Arsenal and Basle. Arsene has definitely added a better balance to the squad and, whilst I don’t think they will win the Champions League or the Premier League, they will progress and it should be as group winners.

Group B will be between Napoli and Benfica and much will depend on how Napoli perform after losing Higuaín to Juventus. If Malik fills those boots seamlessly then they would be my pick to top the group. Kiev look destined for 4^th spot in group B due to a mass of departures in the summer.

Group C sees Guardiola’s Man City take on his previous club Barcelona and I am going for the Manchester side to prevail at the top of the group. It looks like Guardiola has got the team playing his way very quickly, and if Aguero and De Bruyne stay fit they will be an extremely good team this season. Yes, Barca have the reputation, and arguably the best front 3 that have ever played the game, but I think the Guardiola factor could play a part here and he has never failed to get to the last 4 so it could be a big Champions League year for City. They want the Premier League title but the club covets a place at the Champions League top table more.

Group D, I cannot separate Bayern with Ancelotti who has a great record in the competition winning it 3 times and Atletico under Simeone who could be arguably the unluckiest manager in recent history of the competition. Atletico have started uncharacteristically slowly this season but they will improve and these two will battle it out – I expect results between the two will decide the order at the top.

Group E, I think will be won by Leverkusen and either Spurs or Monaco will grab second. Pochettino is new to the competition and Spurs got owned by Dortmund in the Europa League in the latter stages last year. They need to learn from that experience and I am not sure one season will be enough. It remains to be seen how playing on the larger Wembley pitch will affect Spurs’ pressing game both in the Champs League and the effect on their league form on weekends, straight after Champions League matches, when they have a really tough program of fixtures. Monaco have started the season flying and this group is open but I think free scoring Leverkusen may edge it overall.

Group F will go to Real Madrid with Dortmund second. Madrid at home in this competition are formidable in recent years and I’m sure that will continue this season. I cannot see the other two teams being involved. Sporting should be third in the group with Legia propping up the bottom.

Group G, I cannot see Leicester progressing. The counter attack that caught out the Premier League last season will not be as potent a weapon against canny teams and the loss of Kante looks a huge hole. Liverpool scored at will and I see that down to the loss of Kante. Porto I feel will top the group.

Defeating Roma 4-1 was a great result in the preliminaries and secures them their 13^th appearance in 15 years in the competition. I expect that experience to see them top the group. Copenhagen look to be next best and upset Leicester.

Group H will be won by Juve who look in great shape and, having gone close in recent years, could go one further this season. Good summer acquisition like Higuaín and Pjanic will make up for the loss of Pogba. Lyon and Seville will fight out 2^nd place and Arsenal target Lacazette may decide the placings. He is a goal scorer and I think the French side have the edge.

Overall people are writing off Real Madrid as no team has ever defended the title. It has to happen sometime and I think it may well be this season. Madrid love this competition and seem to find a way to win it. Of course Barca and Bayern will be there come the end, as you would expect. We then have Athletico who, if they get into their stride, are a very difficult team to beat over 2 legs, but I am looking for a bit of value and for me I think Juve at the price will go well. Juve will win Serie A leaving them free to focus on this event where the other big players, aside from maybe Munich, will have domestic battles right down to the wire.

I also have City at too big a price and fancy them to do well and make the last 4 to keep Guardiola’s record going.

Recommendations:

Man City to win Champions League 2 points @ 12/1

Juventus to Win Champions League 2 points @ 12/1

Arsenal to Win Group A 4 points @ 13/8

Napoli to Win Group B 5 points @ 6/5

Man City to Win Group C 2 points @ 11/4

Leverkusen to Win Group E 2 points at 15/8

PLEASE NOTE that these are just our personal bets and not official FTS bets. It’s just advice and not guaranteed to win, so if you bet it, you do so by your own decision and at your own peril. Remember money is tied up for the season.