CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2021/22 GROUP STAGES PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Football’s most elite club competition is back, and back with fans in the stadium, which I’m sure everyone is looking forward to. The recent draw for the group stages has thrown up some real tasty groups and interesting match ups, which will wet the appetite of fans around the world. The group stages will commence from 14th September, with the last group games played on 8th December. The final will be played on 28th May in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Below is my preview and predictions of the group stages and how I think the final tables will look.

GROUP A

Man City
Paris St Germain 
RB Leipzig
Club Brugge

It’s really funny how group draws throw up interesting stories, and right off the bat, this group has put some real financial heavyweights together. I am expecting Man City to top this group, but their two games with PSG will be huge affairs with all the quality both teams have in their ranks. I feel City have a slightly better record than PSG away, so may edge it. What makes this group even more ironic is Leipzig are considered to be the Man City & PSG equivalent in Germany. However, I don’t think they are as strong as they were a season or so ago. Club Brugge, who are the dominant side in Belgium having won 3 of the last 4 titles, will relish all three coming to their home stadium and are no pushovers.

GROUP B

Atletico Madrid
Liverpool
AC Milan
Porto

Quite clearly the group of death, I feel none of these teams will be happy with this group draw, however, everyone else will be interested to see how it unfolds. This group will be extremely tight to the end and I feel the tactical know how of the managers will prove vital. Liverpool are looking for revenge, after Madrid knocked them out last season, but Madrid might just have their number. Milan are the unknown, a former powerhouse, back in the big time, their games in the San Siro could be key to how this group finishes. Porto are season vets in this competition, but are slightly on the downward spiral. However, that is not to say they couldn’t upset a team at home if the visiting teams have a bad day.

GROUP C

B.Dortmund
S.Lisbon
Ajax
Besiktas

For me, this group was pretty hard to predict, mainly because all four of these teams have recently, and will flatter to deceive. However, I am expecting Dortmund to top it, purely on the quality in their squad, but I will not be surprised if they are pipped. That said, who pips them is another conversation. Sporting are currently in a really good time in their history and are hoping to carry this over into this competition, Ajax are still dominating Dutch football, but I am not sure either have the quality to trouble the best in Europe and their games will be key for how this group shapes up. Besiktas could thrive on being the unknown commodity and their fans will no doubt relish teams coming to their stadium.

GROUP D

Real Madrid
Inter Milan
Shakhtar Donetsk
Sheriff

I believe this will be one of the more straight forward groups in the competition. Inter will no doubt push Madrid to top the group, and neither team will have a particular easy time out in the cold of Donetsk, but with all that said, I am not expecting much surprises, although you never know in football. What we do know is Madrid’s record is impeccable in this competition, and maybe Inter would have posed more of a threat if they didn’t depart with a certain striker, but I am expecting them both to be the front two in this group. Sheriff may try to push Shakhtar for the Europa League place and as usual, their home games will be very important, but I will be surprised if this group ends any other way.

GROUP E

Bayern Munich
Barcelona
Benfica
Dynamo Kiev

Another group of death, with some real interesting match ups. My favourites are Bayern, who are one of the more consistent teams over the past five years. They have quality throughout and are considered one of the stand outs to win it all. Naturally, with Barca in somewhat of a transitional period, they are not the same, but the Spanish giants still have enough quality to trouble and push Bayern all the way. Benfica are an interesting element, as you are not quite sure what to get from them, but on their day, they are not to be taken lightly and will give both Barca and Bayern game. All three will not enjoy going to Kiev, where it will be a very cold, difficult task, with Dynamo capable of producing an upset.

GROUP F

Man Utd
Villarreal
Atalanta
Young Boys

I am expecting this group to be a two horse race. Although anything can happen, I believe Utd and Villarreal have improved since last season, where as the other two teams in this group have not. Villarreal and United will resume rivalries after the Europa League final, but the improvements United have made will be the deciding factor. They look strong, and have the experience to top the group. I am not expecting Villarreal to be particularly troubled to finish in second. Atalanta are not what they were last season, but they could still bring that element of surprise. Young Boys also are not the same side who won the Swiss league last season, but just playing in the Champions League may lift some players.

GROUP G

Chelsea
Juventus
Zenit 
Malmo

This group looks as though it will be a fairly straight forward one for the defending champions Chelsea. I am not expecting many hiccups along their way to topping this group. The bigger story will be what happens behind them. Naturally, Juve will be expected to finish second, but for obvious reasons, they are not as strong as they once were. Zenit, who have won the Russian league in the last three seasons, will hope to be strong at home, having all the elements in their favour, which will give them a chance at qualifying. Malmo are more or less the top team in Sweden and did well to come through the qualifying stage. They will be hoping to at least give a good account of themselves.