[Previews] Champions League groups E-H

September 18,2017
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David Bowie

The group stages of the Champions League are about to begin, and we will see the first games take place later this month. In each group, the top two teams will qualify for the next round, the third placed teams will go into the Europa League, and the bottom teams will exit at this stage.

Group E

Group E will be all about the tussle between Liverpool and Sevilla for the top spot in the group. These two are closely matched, despite Liverpool having to come through the qualifying stages to get here. Spartak Moscow lacks the quality to challenge them, although at home they are vigorous and capable of taking points from both of the top teams. NK Maribor looks set to struggle in this group and will be the bottom club.

My prediction for Group E is that Liverpool will win the group, with Sevilla a very close second. Spartak Moscow will pick up enough points to come third in the group, with NK Maribor rounding off the group and coming bottom.

Group F

Manchester City are the headline act in Group F, and the other three clubs in the group are all relatively close, so we could see anyone picking up the second spot. The three clubs battling it out for second are Napoli, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Feyenoord, and all with fancy their chances right now. Napoli is favorites, but they are beatable, and I can see this group being decided by a point or two, with some exciting games taking place.

My prediction for Group F is that Manchester City will win the group. I am choosing Shakhtar Donetsk to come second, with Napoli in third and Feyenoord in fourth. However, anything could happen here; this is an inspiring group.

Group G

Group G looks to be the closest team in the competition, and I think all four clubs will have a genuine chance of winning the group. Monaco is favorites to win the group, with RB Leipzig, Porto and Besiktas all close behind them regarding quality. It is unsurprising for me to see any one of these four win the group. That should give us many close games to look forward to, and while the team may be lacking a huge name, it should be exciting.

My prediction for Group G is that Porto will win the group, with Monaco coming second. I think RB Leipzig will come third and qualify for the Europa League, with Besiktas finishing bottom of what is going to be a very tight group.

Group H

Three big guns face each other in Group H in what should be a fascinating clash. Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham all clash in this group and whoever finishes third is sure to head into the Europa League as one of the favorites to win it. Apoel Nicosia round off the group, and they look set for a very tough time of things, I can’t see them picking up any points.

My prediction for Group H is that Real Madrid will win the group, with Borussia Dortmund coming second and qualifying for them. I think Tottenham will come third, and go on to have an excellent run in the Europa League, with Apoal Nicosia finishing fourth.