Dispite being interrupted by the UEFA Inter player of the year awards the balls were pulled from the bag. As an extra treat here are my dubious predictions for the group stages of the Champions League.
Group A
Inter Milan, Werder Bremen, Tottenham, FC Twente
Reigning champions Inter should win this group. The only thing that could hinder them is one of Rafa's trademark meltdowns. Werder Bremen are going to be weakened by the loss of Mesut Özil but I still consider them to be stronger then their remaining group mates and expect them to finish second. FC Twente have had some good experience of European football over the last few seasons and I can see this edging them just over Spurs. Spurs I think will finish bottom. Away from home against Young Boys 'Arry's lack of experience at this level showed and it's only going to get harder.
1. Inter
2. Werder Bremen
3. FC Twente
4. Tottenham
Group B
Lyon, Benfica, Schalke, Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Schalke, although they have added to Raul to their ranks, they have sold a lot of key players and don't seem to have replaced them. I still think that they'll scrape the group just behind Lyon. Benfica won't have enough away from home and Tel-Aviv don't seem strong enough looking at how they did in the Europa League last year.
1. Lyon
2. Schalke
3. Benfica
4. Tel-Aviv
Group C
Manchester United, Valencia, Rangers, Bursaspor
United should come out top of this group. Bursaspor will provide the 'didn't see that coming' moment and finish second. Valencia have lost Villa and Silva who could prove to be irreplaceable in this competition but they'll probably get a Europa League spot after being knocked out. Rangers will suffer for having no serious competitors at home in the SPL which has also damaged Celtic when in the Champions League in recent years in my opinion.
1. United
2. Bursaspor
3. Valencia
4. Rangers
Group D
Barcelona, Panathinaikos, FC Copenhagen, Rubin Kazan
I'm beginning to sound like Tim Lovejoy by going for all the big teams but can anybody seriously see this group not finishing with Barcelona top; followed by Panathinaikos. FCK and Rubin Kazan will be close but I expect Rubin to edge it.
1. Barcelona
2. Panathinaikos
3. Rubin Kazan
4. FC Copenhagen
Group E
Bayern Munich, AS Roma, Basel, CFR Cluj
Similar to the above group, the higher seeds, Bayern and Roma, should come out in that order. After being beaten by both in last years Europa League, AS Roma will be looking for revenge against Basel and Cluj (who I'm predicting to finish 3rd and 4th respectively) and may well get it.
1. Bayern Munich
2. AS Roma
3. Basel
4. CFR Cluj
Group F
Chelsea, Marseille, Spartak Moscow, Zilina
This group will be more interesting then the previous two. Chelsea will win but will drop points at Marseille who will drop points to Spartak. Chelsea and Marseille will go through at Spartak's expense but Zilina will be absolutely pulverised home and away.
1. Chelsea
2. Marseille
3. Spartak Moscow
4. Zilina
Group G
AC Milan, Real Madrid, Ajax, Auxerre
The undisputed 'Group of Death'. Auxerre will be the main victim finishing bottom. Real Madrid will win this group. They have been woeful in the Champions League in recent years but you can never bet against Jose Mourinho. Whether he'll win 'ugly' like he did with Inter last season remains to be seen but with Madrid's resources there is absolutely no way they will fail to get out of this group. Ajax will finish second above AC Milan who still lack something and I doubt signing Zlatan Ibrahimović will be the answer.
1. Real Madrid
2. Ajax
3. AC Milan
4. Auxerre
Group H
Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga, Partizan Belgrade
The winners of this group will be Arsenal but I think they will drop points to Shakhtar with Eduardo proving a point. Shakhtar have an awesome crest and kit and this is one of many good reasons for placing them second. Braga knocked out Sevilla on their way and boast Star Wars creator George Lucas amongst their ranks but I have a feeling Partizan Belgrade might be able to pull off a victory or two at home.
1. Arsenal
2. Shakhtar Donetsk
3. Partizan Belgrade
4. Braga
There you have it. I'll review this before the knockout stages to see who (if any of them) I picked correctly.
