Will the PSG project suffer a near fatal blow? Can Spurs save their European season? Will Real Madrid make it through? Here’s our Champions League predictions
GROUP A
Borussia Dortmund 9 pts, Atletico Madrid 6, Monaco 1, Brugge 1
Dortmund have so far been the big surprise in the Champions League, winning all three games, including the 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid. Considering the struggles of Monaco and Brugge, the top two in this group are already defined, with Dortmund in the best position to top it. Monaco and Brugge will have to battle for a Europa League spot, with the Ligue 1 side as the favourites.
PREDICTION
1) Dortmund, 2) Atletico, 3) Monaco, 4) Brugge
GROUP B
Barcelona 9 pts, Internazionale 6, PSV 1, Tottenham 1
Inter have been the surprise here, beating Tottenham emphatically at the San Siro and then comfortably getting three points at Eindhoven. The draw between Spurs and PSV put the Nerazzurri in the best position to come second, right behind the giants of Barcelona.
PREDICTION:
1) Barcelona, 2) Inter, 3) Tottenham, 4) PSV
GROUP C
Liverpool 6 pts, Napoli 5, PSG 4 , Red Star Belgrade 1
What a group it was on paper, and what a group it’s been so far. Amazing. Liverpool remain favourites, having beaten PSG home and with the next game against Red Star. Napoli and PSG will battle it out for the probable second spot at the San Paolo. Angel Di Maria’s last minute goal could be decisive, seeing as Napoli’s draw with Red Star means the Partenopei will need to win against the Parisians. It’s all open, but in the end the two favourites should make it.
PREDICTION:
1) Liverpool, 2) Paris, 3) Napoli, 4) Red Star
GROUP D
Porto 7 pts, Schalke 5, Galatasaray 4, Lokomotiv Moscow 0
Galatasaray can still get second spot, considering Schalke’s shakey form this season. Porto are safely first, whilst Lokomotiv can consider themselves out of European competition already.
PREDICTION:
1) Porto, 2) Galatasaray, 3) Schalke, 4) Lokomotiv Moscow
GROUP E
Bayern 7 pts, Ajax 7, Benfica 3, AEK 0
Ajax have been the revelation, giving Bayern a terrible time at the Allianz Arena, and going four points clear of Benfica. The Portuguese side will almost certainly go into the Europa League, with Ajax and Bayern battling it out for the top of the group.
PREDICTION:
1) Bayern Munich, 2) Benfica, 3) Ajax, 4) AEK
GROUP F
Manchester City 6 pts, Lyon 5, Shakhtar Donetsk 2, Hoffenheim 2
Lyon’s win at the Etihad Stadium could prove decisive for the French side, as Shakhtar remain three points behind with three games to go. A lot can still happen, although if Lyon keep up the form seen so far, they should make it to the next round with Manchester City.
PREDICTION:
1) Manchester City, 2) Lyon, 3) Shakhtar Donetsk, 4) Hoffenheim
GROUP G
Roma 6 pts, Real Madrid 6, CSKA Moscow 4, Viktoria Plzen 1
Roma have done their job, Real Madrid less so overall and aren’t exactly facing the best spell in recent times. However, it should be enough to make it to the Round of 16, with CSKA booking a place for the Europa League.
PREDICTION:
1) Real Madrid, 2) Roma, 3) CSKA Moscow, 4) Viktoria Plzen
GROUP H
Juventus 9 pts, Manchester United 4, Valencia 2, Young Boys 1
The draw between Valencia and Young Boys was a huge blow to the chances of the Spanish side of fighting for a second spot finish. Juventus are the most dominant side in the whole of the Champions League so far, and will come first. United should be just behind them.
PREDICTION:
1) Juventus, 2) Manchester United, 3) Valencia, 4) Young Boys
