I wrote this article the next day after after the champions league draw but could not publish it due to some reasons best known to me. Now that I have unleashed it, do you think I was wrong in my permutations?
The UEFA champions league draws went down Thursday and the
draw saw many permutations made as to who is going to meet who in the knockout
stage of the 2016/2017 UEFA champions league season. Without much ado, let’s
delve straight into the groupings and permutations while looking at which teams
could make it out of the group stages into the knock out stage of the
competition.
Group A
Arsenal
PSG
Basel
Ludogorets
This is a slightly closed group as we see the likes
of Arsenal who has not failed to qualify for the knockout stages for almost
18years now. PSG as we know is a very strong side anytime but they just lost
their talisman in the name of Zlatan Ibrahimovic; this could be a big factor.
Basel on their own are not pushovers as we saw what this team could do when
they face Chelsea 3 seasons ago. They could give the other two teams a run for
their money.
I’m tipping Arsenal
and PSG to qualify from the group
with all due respect to Basel.
Group B
Benfica
Napoli
Besiktas
Dynamo Kyiv
This group is a bit balanced and not so much of
talking points. Napoli is a great side but remember they just lost their
goal-scoring machine – Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus. I also love the way Benfica
plays so I would tip Benfica and Napoli to qualify from this group.
Group C
Barcelona
Bayern Monchengladbach
Manchester City
Celtic
This is a very interesting group considering the
fact that former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is now the manager of Manchester
city. I think he understands most of the players there and how they play.
Manchester City, on their own, has seen a lot of work done on the squad and the
Guardiola factor is also a big talking point here.
I think it will be an easy ride for Manchester City and Barcelona in
this group.
Group D
Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven
Athletico Madrid
FC Rostov
This group looks a bit dicey. On paper, one would
easily pick Bayern and Athletico to have a stroll in this group but we have
seen PSV springing surprises in recent times. But don’t get it twisted, I can’t
imagine a situation where Bayern Munich and Athletico Madrid fail to
qualify for the knockout stages considering their pedigree and experience in
the competition. So I’m tipping the 2 of them to make it out.
Group E
CSKA Moscow
Tottenham
Bayern Leverkusen
Monaco
This is another balanced group and I kinda like the
way this group panned out. They all look to be on the same level of strength
but if I must choose, I think I will tip Tottenham
and Bayern Leverkusen to make it
to the knockout stages.
Group F
Sporting Lisbon
Real Madrid
Legia Warsaw
Borussia Dortmund
Of course we have heavyweights here. Real Madrid is
the defending champion of the tournament so I expect them to qualify and defend
the trophy they won last season. They have been consistent over a long time.
They also parade a plethora of stars in the team that can demolish any side so
it won’t be a big deal for them to qualify.
So I’m picking Real
Madrid and Borussia Dortmund from
this group.
Group G
Leicester City
Club Brugge
FC Porto
FC Copenhagen
I expect FC Porto to top this group going by their
exposure and experience in the competition. It also looks cheap and kind to the
inexperienced Leicester City who is making their debut in the competition from
the back of a fairy tale win in the popular English Premier League. The parade
a number of stars in the name of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, not forgetting
their new signing- Ahmed Musa who is well experienced in the champions league.
They should be able to grind their way through to the later stages.
I think I will like to see FC Porto and Leicester City make
it to the knockout stages.
Group H
Juventus
Dynamo Zagreb
Sevilla
Lyon
Like the former group, I expect Juventus to top the
group. They have added the dreaded Gonzalo Higuain to their already ferocious
squad and it think they are good to go. We all know what Sevilla can do going
from the Europa League but Lyon is not also a pushover. They are also a very
strong side and can lay claim to the second spot.
But I will pick out Juventus and Sevilla to
go through to the knockout stages.
Ok! Now you have seen our own picks from the group.
What do you
have say about this; Do you agree with us?
Use the
comments section to let us know your own picks…
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