UEFA Champions League 2018-19: Group-wise analysis and predicted standings

It is that time of the year again, when the humble chit system gets its biggest audience at the draw for the group stages. This year’s Champions League draw, as expected threw up some interesting clashes, a possibility of upsets and a whopping 3 groups of death.

With the first round of fixtures on September 18th and 19th we go through each group, listing the expected group winners and trying to figure out how the positions will pan out at the end of the first 6 matchdays of the latest edition of the most prestigious club competition in Europe.

Group A: Atletico to be tested

Atletico Madrid will look to carry on their form after the win in the UEFA Super Cup

Atletico Madrid - Dortmund - Club Brugge - Monaco

The first of the groups of death, a scenario where literally anyone (except Club Brugge with all due respect) can beat anyone.

Despite the sheen going off of the Dortmund and Monaco sides in respect to their previous iterations in the tournament, do not expect there to be any respite for the Madrid team fresh off wins in the Europa League and Super Cup. There is no want of stars in this group with Greizmann, Lemar, Reus, Falcao all raring to go.

Predicted standings:

Atletico Madrid
Monaco
Borrusia Dortmund
Club Brugge.

Group B: Barcelona might be concerned

The main man for Barcelona would have to be at his best

Barcelona - Inter Milan - PSV Eindhoven - Tottenham Hotspurs

Another match-up of heavyweights in this group. Barcelona, a contender for the top spot, Tottenham, a team trying to find their footing in this tournament and Inter Milan, a returning champion. Add to that mix the current champions of Netherlands and you have a group with a plot thicker than blood.

Even though Barcelona and Tottenham might be expecting to go through, the Nerrazuri might have something to say about that. What’s more to look forward to is the beautiful stadiums that’ll be on show, Camp Nou, San Siro making a return and Tottenham’s much talked about new arena along with PSV’s Philips Stadion .

Predicted Standings:

Barcelona
Tottenham
Inter Milan
PSV Eindhoven.

Group C: The Group of death

Lots to think about for Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp

Red Star Belgrade - Liverpool - Napoli - Paris Saint Germain

Fans of the beautiful game around the world will hope that this group entertains to its fullest. PSG with Mbappe, Neymar and Cavani will test the defensive credentials of the team from Merseyside.

The dangerous Napoli side may have lost manager Sarri, but they retain much of the talent from the side that took Juventus all the way in the fight for Serie A last season. Red Star Belgrade, though not expected to do much might spring a few surprises, especially at home with their extremely vocal support.

Predicted Standings:

Liverpool
PSG
Napoli
Red Star Belgrade.

Group D: Might go down to the wire

This might be Lokomotiv Moscow's chance to go through to the Round of 16

Galatasaray - Lokomotiv Moscow - Porto - Schalke 04

This group might just reset the equilibrium with most of the high voltage clashes in the other groups. Though there is not much expectation from the teams in this group but who can tell what lies in the future.

Even then, this group might go down to the wire and be one of the groups to watch come matchday 6 due to the similar pedigree of its participants. however, initially, it offers very little in terms of entertainment value.

Predicted Standings:

Porto
Lokomotiv Moscow
Schalke 04
Galatasaray.

Group E: Bayern and Benfica to lead the way

Bayern Munich will be pumped up for their group phase

AEK Athens - Ajax - Bayern Munich - Benefica

Bayern Munich start off yet another attempt to lay their hands on the Champions League trophy in what should be an easy group for them. The German club will expect to top the group if they stand up to the challenge from the Portuguese club well.

As soon as Benfica won their playoff against PAOK on Wednesday night, many expected them to land a tough group and they did. They will have to fend off AEK Athens, Ajax and maybe even punch above their weights at Bayern in order to go through to the Round of 16

However, Ajax and AEK Athens might have something to say about who finishes second in the group.

Predicted Standings:

Bayern Munich
Benfica
Ajax
AEK Athens.

Group F: City's free pass

All smiles at Manchester City as they expect to secure progression with ease.

Hoffenheim - Manchester City - Lyon - Shaktar Donetsk

If Bayern’s group was not challenging, City have been given a proverbial pass to the next round. None among Shaktar, Lyon and Hoffenheim should trouble the English champions led by Pep Guardiola.

A lot of goals may be expected with all the teams preferring a more open, expansive style of play.

Predicted Standings:

Manchester City
Lyon
Shaktar Donetsk
Hoffenheim.

Group G: A new era for Real Madrid

Julen Lopetegui will be tested well in this group stage

CSKA Moscow - Real Madrid - AS Roma - Viktoria Plzen

The Real Madrid and AS Roma UCL romance returns for another instalment, this time sans Cristiano Ronaldo.

This is the right chance for Madrid to show that they have gotten over the loss of their talisman Cristiano Rnaldo. Though Plzen looks like an easy tie, an away trip to Moscow is never easy and Roma lies in wait as well for them.

Predicted Standings:

Real Madrid
AS Roma
CSKA Moscow
Viktoria Plzen.

Group H: Headline galore

Expect fireworks as these two go head to head with their clubs against their former clubs

Juventus - Manchester United - Valencia CF - BSC Young Boys

Ronaldo returning to Old Trafford, Pogba back in Turin and a resurgent Valenicia CF might throw up a few interesting headlines.

Expect a few unexpected results given that Manchester United’s recent slump continues. Valencia’s tendency to pop up with the odd result, Ronaldo’s supposed scoring woes and an outsider team from the swiss alps all makes for a very interesting group.

Predicted Standings:

Juventus
Manchester United
Valencia CF
BSC Young Boys.