UEFA Champions League Draw: Which Teams Will Qualify?

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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