Group E
Bayern Munich
Bayern have probably have the best complete squad in world football. It's hard to look past them as winners this year around. Last season they were embarrassed by Real Madrid in the semi finals. Coach Pep Guardiola has identified the problem areas and strengthed with quality. Pepe Reina has been brought in as back up to Manuel Neuer. Whilst Roma centre back Mehdi Benatia joins, along with Real Madrid man Xabi Alonso. Probably the biggest signing of the summer has been Robert Lewandowski who joined on a free from rivals Dortmund. With quality already in the squad in the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller amongst others. With the squad they have and the fact that most their players won the World Cup with Germany, I believe they'll go all the way.
Key player - Robert Lewandowski
Group prediction finish - 1st
Champions League odds - 5/1
Man City
Another club which has a strong squad, with 2 quality players for each position. Vincent Kompany will ensure that the defence is strong which will be needed in a tough group, especially against Bayern's pace filled forward line, with young centre back Eliaquim Mangala brought in to partner him. Fernando has been brought to add steel to the midfield along side Fernandinho, which will give Yaya Toure the chance to push forward. With attacking midfielders like David Silva, Jesus Navas and Samir Nasri there will be plenty of chances. With injury and fitness concerns over forwards Sergio Aguero and Stevan Jovetic, the weight of goals could rely on Edin Dzeko. A quarter final place should be the least, but they'll be pushed for 2nd in this group by Roma.
Key player - Vincent Kompany
Group prediction finish - 2nd
Champions League odds - 14/1
CSKA Moskva
The Russian club couldn't have been handed a harder draw. Away from home they will struggle, but at home they could cause a few problems. With the fans turning against CSKA's Russian players after a poor World Cup, confidence is fairly low, and a poor start could make that worse. One player who has taken most the flack is keeper Igor Akinfeev and he'll need to be on top form in every game, as he's going to be busy. Ahmed Musa and Seydou Doumbia will be the men to get the goals. With Alan Dzagoev and Zoran Tosic the suppliers. 3rd would be a great achievement for them in this group, but it looks like 4th for them.
Key player - Alan Dzagoev
Group prediction finish - 4th
Champions League odds - 500/1
AS Roma
The Italians have returned to the big time after 4 years away. Ashley Cole brings champions league experience after winning the competition with Chelsea and is joined in defence by French international Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. The have a strong midfield with the likes of Kevin Strootman, Radja Nainggolan and Roma legend Daniele De Rossi. Along with attacking talents of Miralem Pjanic and Juan Iturbe they look strong. One man who will be glad to be back at this level is Francesco Totti after over 20 years at the club, in what might be his final season, he'll be looking for success, but that might come in the Europa League.
Key player - Daniele De Rossi
Group prediction finish - 3rd
Champions League odds - 100/1
Group F
Barcelona
Luis Enrique has been given the job to rebuild Barca after a poor display last season. There has been a lot of ins and outs this summer Carles Puyol has retired and goalkeepers Victor Valdes and Jose Manuel Pinto have left the club on free transfers. Whilst Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Somg have also moved on. Coming into the club are Claudio Bravo, Ivan Rakitic and Thomas Vermaelen amongst others. But the big signing is Luis Suarez, who will now link up with Messi and Neymar, I wouldn't want to be a defender for the opposition. With Pedro, Andres Iniesta and Xavi the suppliers, it should be goals, goals, goals. With youngsters given the chance in this competition expect some promising youngsters to impress Sandro Ramirez and Munir El Haddadi to name just 2, with the latter already a Spanish international. Semi finals will be a definite, if they avoid Bayern and Real.
Key player - Lionel Messi
Group prediction finish - 1st
Champions League odds - 9/2
Paris Saint-Germain
Will PSG dare to Zlatan? With Ibrahimovic anything is possible for PSG, without them, they seem to struggle. Financial fair play has limited their spending in the summer, with the bulk of their budget going on David Luiz who joined for £50 million. With a poor World Cup display that money seems a waste, but I expect Luiz to prove his critics wrong. He already has a good understanding with Brazilian teammate and captain Thiago Silva. Another good addition to the defence is Ivory Coast right back Serge Aurier. With a forward line of Lucas, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi they are great going forward. The main star in the team is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The man has own trophies and scored goals wherever he's been. But has never won the Champions League, at 32 he's not going to get many chances, could this be his time? If they top the group anything is possible.
Key player - Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Group prediction finish - 2nd
Champions League odds - 16/1
Ajax
This will be a tough campaign for Ajax, they will be playing it out with APOEL for the Europa League place, most their stars have left over the past few seasons. Daley Blind one of Hollands impressive players at the World Cup has joined Man United. One Dutch World Cup star who has stayed is keeper Jasper Cillessen who will be tested against Barca and PSG. With a youthful squad this will be a good learning experience for Frank de Boer's men. Lasse Schone, Kolbeinn Sigporsson and Anwar El Ghazi will be the players expected to get goals, but I wouldn't imagine they get many. 3rd place and a good Europa League run is possible.
Key player - Jasper Cillessen
Group prediction finish - 3rd
Champions League odds - 300/1
APOEL Nicosia
In 2012 APOEL became the 1st Cypriot team to reach the quarter finals losing to Real Madrid 8-2 over 2 legs. Everybody's favourite underdogs have the impossible task of getting out of this group. John Arne Riise has joined to add experience to the squad. He is also probably the only known player outside of Cyprus. Constantinos Charalambidis, Georgios Efrem and Nuno Morais will look to run the midfield and Irish forward Cillian Sheridan and Rafik Djebbour will look to feed of any scraps they get in the game. The APOEL fans should enjoy trips to Barca and PSG and any goal will be celebrated like a win. One thing for sure is the fans will make it as hostile as they can from the first to last minute for visiting teams.
Key player - John Arne Riise
Group prediction finish - 4th
Champions League odds - 500/1
Group G
Chelsea
Probably England's best chance in this competition. Strengthened over the summer with Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa joining and hitting the ground running so far this season. Clubs won't want to face Chelsea this season. Petr Cech will probably be given the number 1 jersey in Europe this season and is a solid keeper who will prove he should be number 1 in all competitions. With solid defenders in John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic who like a goal or 2, plus attacking talents of Oscar, Eden Hazard, Willian, Cesc Fabregas and Andre Schurrle supplying Loic Remy, Diego Costa and the returning but ageing Didier Drogba. There should be plenty of goals for them. Should easily top the group and get to the semi finals.
Key player - Diego Costa
Group prediction finish - 1st
Champions League odds - 7/1
Schalke 04
An exciting squad at Schalke, that should be interesting to watch. With 3 of Europe's most talented youngsters in Max Meyler, Leon Goretzka and Julian Draxler they have pace and creative ability. Experience players in Kevin Prince Boateng, Jefferson Farfan and Sidney Sam add to that midfield with creativity and an eye for goal. Upfront they have a natural goalscorer in Dutch international Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who will get goals if given the chances. Another team that may ride the wave of Germany's World Cup success they could get a quarter final place, but nothing more.
Key player - Julian Draxler
Group prediction finish - 2nd
Champions League odds - 150/1
Sporting Lisbon
They've been in the shadow or Benfica and Porto lately, but now have a chance to take the role of Portugal's best team. Former player Nani has returned on a loan deal from Man United and will look to get his career back on track. Exciting youngster Ryan Gauld has joined from Dundee and could get a chance to impress in the group stages. Holding midfielder William Carvalho who was heavily linked with moves away to Arsenal and Man United this summer remains, and will be a key player in the centre of midfield. Winger Diego Capel another linked with a move to the Premiership this summer has stayed and will look to be the creative force for Algerian Islam Slimani and Columbian Fredy Montero. They will push Schalke for 2nd but may fall short and try their chances in the Europa League.
Key player - Rui Patricio
Group prediction finish - 3rd
Champions League odds - 400/1
NK Maribor
The Slovenian club overcame Celtic in the play off stage to get into the group stage. Many of these players will see this season as a chance to impress top European clubs. Agim Ibraimi, Dare Vrsic, Damjan Bohar and Sintayehu Sallallich will look to be creative forces and put on a good display. Whilst forwards Luka Zahovic, Jean-Philippe Mendy and Marcos Tavares will be frustrated figures upfront in a team that will struggle. Although little is known about the club so they will be playing without pressure which might help them cause a few surprises.
Key player - Aleksander Rajcevic
Group prediction finish - 4th
Champions League odds - 750/1
Group H
FC Porto
Porto have been impressive with their signings during the summer transfer period. Reinvesting most of the £40 million they made on sales of their players, strengthening throughout the squad. Jose Angel joins from Roma whilst Bruno Martins Indi comes from Feyenoord after an impressive World Cup with Holland. Youngsters Jose Capana, Casemiro and Oliver Torres come into to strengthen the midfield. While Vincent Aboubakar, Adrian Lopez and Christian Tello bring flare and pace to the attacking end of the field. Jackson Martinez was linked with a host of top European clubs, but remains Porto's main goal threat. Could Porto be about to repeat their fate of 2004 and go all the way? With an exciting squad anything is possible, but a quarter finals spot looks more possible.
Key player - Jackson Martinez
Group prediction finish - 1st
Champions League odds - 66/1
Shakhtar Donesk
Shakhtar have a mix of 50/50 between Brazilian and Ukrainian players, with Croatian Darijo Srna the only exception, this has worked for them at domestic level and recently in the Europa League. Many young players move from Brazil to Ukraine as a stepping stone in their careers in Europe. The latest crop of Brazilians are an exciting bunch Wellington Nem, Fred, Bernard, Douglas Costa, Taison and Dentinho will cause problems to most teams. But with political problems in Ukraine, the Brazilians may feel they need to move on sooner than expected. So Shakhtar need to make this season count in Europe. They will fight out for 2nd place in the group, but I expect them to finish 3rd and go far in the Europa League.
Key player - Douglas Costa
Group prediction finish - 3rd
Champions League odds - 250/1
Athletic Bilbao
Bilbao will look to progress to the knockout stages and have a team capable of doing that. With quality throughout the team with Mikel San Jose and Aymeric Laporte at the back they'll be solid. Creativity in midfield will come through Benat Etxebarria, Ander Iturraspe and Mikel Rico. Arguably the best player to come through the youth ranks in recent years is Iker Muniain at 21 the Spanish international has already played over 150 games for the club and has formed a good understanding with Aritz Aduriz. Expect them to fight for top spot with Porto but just fall short. A last 16 round could be the end of their run if the draw isn't kind to them.
Key player - Iker Muniain
Group prediction finish - 2nd
Champions League odds - 80/1
FC BATE Borisov
The Belorussians are going to find this group hard. Captain Dzmitry Likhtarovich is 36 and his best days are behind him, but remains a key player in midfield along side Alyaksandr Valadzko and Illya Aleksiyevich. Don't expect many goals from them Vitali Rodionov averages 1 in 5 in the Belorussian league whilst Mikalay Signevich is still young. Their main source of goal will be Dzmitry Mazalewski, but I don't see many goals being celebrated by the BATE fans.
Key player - Filip Mladenovic
Group prediction finish - 4th
Champions League odds - 750/1
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