Group A

Liverpool look awful at the moment. I don’t reckon they finish top of the group, but I do reckon they get out of it because they’re Liverpool. Are Rangers going through? I’d really like them to, but let’s be rational. I reckon Ajax top the group; they’ve lost half their team but their academy is so strong. However, it’s going to be tight between Liverpool and Napoli. There are a lot of good home atmospheres in this group actually – and Liverpool. That will get a bite, won’t it? 

Prediction

1. Ajax

2. Liverpool

3. Napoli

4. Rangers

Group B

The thing is, I know Atlético are going to finish top, but I just can’t stand them. They’re so negative and they bore me to tears. But I love Leverkusen – there’s just something about them. Club Brugge? It’s not happening, is it. Overall I don’t think there will be a lot of goals in this group and it will be decided by Matchweek 3.  

Prediction

1. Atlético

2. Leverkusen

3. Porto

4. Club Brugge

Group C

I quite like Barcelona at the moment because they’re just doing everything they’ve been told they can’t do. Inter always seem to just trot along. But I would love Plzeň to just get even one win in this group; if they do, it should be enough to fast-track them to the final. That should be a new rule. Actually, this is my bold prediction: Tuesday 1 November, Plzeň will draw 2-2 with Barcelona, because Barça will have already qualified.

Prediction

1. Bayern

2. Barcelona

3. Inter

4. Plzeň 

Group D

Full disclosure, for those who don’t know already: I am a Tottenham fan. But in classic Spurs fashion, we will not finish top of this group; we will have to win our last game at Marseille to finish second. Frankfurt lost Filip Kostić, who was mustard, but they’re still a good side. And we can’t have any Portuguese teams progressing, of course (I’m joking).

Prediction

1. Frankfurt

2. Tottenham                                        

3. Marseille

4. Sporting CP

Group E

Salzburg and Milan are two strong sides; Chelsea are finishing third. Not really, I just like giving Chelsea fans the wind-up. But hands down, Milan are winning this group – and it won’t even be close. I reckon Chelsea are finishing second. Zagreb have got to be bottom.

Prediction

1. Milan

2. Chelsea

3. Salzburg

4. Dinamo Zagreb

Group F

Celtic have got some horrific stats in this competition – their last win at home in the Champions League was in 2013 – but they are looking good. They battered Dundee United 9-0 the other day, then 4-0 against Rangers. Can their home form get them through? Shakhtar away will be a key game for them. I don’t think I really need to say that Real will finish top. I reckon Leipzig and Celtic are going to be tight but goal difference will decide it.

Prediction

1. Real Madrid

2. Celtic

3. Leipzig

4. Shakhtar Donetsk

Group G

Man City are top of anything at the moment (apart from the Premier League). I quite like Sevilla; they’ve got Erik Lamela, who’s got a bit of bite to him, and I feel like they’re quite balanced. Even Jesús Navas is still kicking about, and they’ve got street ballers in midfield. Are they going to be stronger than Dortmund though? I think Sevilla don’t make the cut but they’ll probably win the Europa League.  

Prediction

1. Manchester City

2. Dortmund  

3. Sevilla

4. Copenhagen

Group H

There’s an upset here. A big upset. Huge. Not in the top two; the top two are set. The Champions Journal contingent know exactly where this is going: Benfica are finishing bottom of this group. Maccabi Haifa away? Benfica can’t do it, they’re not cut out for it. They’ve lost their big No9 and it’s all in the bin. I don’t even see them getting a point, if I’m completely honest. As for the top two, Juve just tick along, don’t they? And Paris have zero discipline, so they’ll probably lose to Juve and beat the rest.

Prediction

1. Juventus

2. Paris

3. Maccabi Haifa

4. Benfica