#4 Manchester City
Pep Guardiola. Two words which immediately spell danger for the other three members of Manchester City’s group. The Citizens will face Borussia Mönchengladbach, Celtic and the Spanish manager’s beloved Barcelona in Group C and the optimism at the Etihad is greater than ever.
Even for all his tamperings with the squad, including the ruthless handling of England shot-stopper Joe Hart, Pep was a signature of intent by the City board and was brought in for one vital reason; he knows how to win the greatest club competition in football.
That really is the biggest factor in why I tip City to be a dark horse this campaign; the Spaniard has won 56 of his 89 games in the Champions League and has a vast experience of said competition.
Of course, the Manchester club are also blessed with an array of stars in the final third from Sergio Aguero to Kevin De Bruyne, while the addition of Claudio Bravo this summer should tighten things up at the back too.
After five years of finding their feet in the Champions League, City are now set up better than any of the other English sides to really make their mark in the competition.
