UEFA Champions League

Staff Predictions for the Champions League Group Stage

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Less than a week until Manchester City starts the UEFA Champions League Group Stage, the Man City Square staff predict the finishing order for every group.

NYON, SWITZERLAND – AUGUST 05: UEFA Champions League trophy is shown, during the drawing of the matches for the UEFA Champions League play-off round, at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on August 05, 2016.
(Photo by Fatih Erel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

As the international break begins to close down it is time to return to club football. The EPL picks back up this weekend with Manchester City in the derby. But soon after the Champions League returns with the Group Stage. The staff at Man City Square have looked into the crystal ball and predict the finish order of each group.

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Group A

Everyone agrees Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad as the 3rd and 4th place teams. However, PSG didn’t run the board on the top spot.

Cody G. and myself believe Arsenal can shake off the slow season start and push past a Zlatan-less PSG. However, the majority of the group believe the French powerhouse will dominate the Group A.

Group B

Differing opinions across all four finishing spots in a more open group. Napoli get the overall vote for first place, but in one prediction they are headed for the Europa League.

While most agree Dynamo and Besiktas are headed for the bottom half of the table, it a really quite open. No one would be that surprised to see any of these teams manage a second place finish and into the knockout rounds.

(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

Group C

Again a consistent prediction across the top. While the entire team would like to see Manchester City top Group C, Barcelona are likely the overall favorites this year.

The only difference is Joel’s extra confidence in Celtic earning a bid into the Europa League over Borussia. While the top two spots should be safe, can Man City beat the trend and overcome Pep’s old club?

Group D

Another group split down the middle with a clean top two and bottom two. Will Atletico upset the German giants or can Bayern cruise through?

Everyone has PSV going to the Europa League with Rostov out. Liam and Cody believe the Spanish club will provide one of the upsets of the Group Stage. However, the majority move forward the typically Bayern group winners.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: (L) Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur takes the ball past (R) Dejan Lovren of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane on August 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Group E

A completely wide open group brought us some interesting and differing opinions. Monaco is predicted to finish every position but 2nd. While we have our first group with three different leaders.

The composition of this groups is such that no one will be stunned by who advances or misses out. Outside of a CSKA group win, really anything is possible. Tottenham appear to have the slight edge in the staff predictions.

Group F

In contrast to Group E, Group F seems fairly straight forward. Real Madrid enter as the overwhelming favorites, with Legia Warsaw as the clear cut 4th place finisher.

It would be a shock to see Madrid not role through this group. The staff is all of the same opinion from top to bottom, except for my picks. I believe that Sporting CP will just beat out Dortmund for the 2nd spot.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: A Leicester City flag is displayed before the Premier League match between Leicester City and Swansea City at The King Power Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Group G

Leicester City continue their fairy tale run as they begin their European adventure. Can they survive a pretty even group, or will the extra games be too much for their squad?

Again, everyone seems on board with the same pick – Porto as the winner. I am continue to push that Leicester has another miracle left in them. However, 6 of the 8 writers believe they will manage to advance.

Group H

We conclude with Group H which should be easy for Italian champions Juventus. Once again the top and last positions are agreed across the board, while Sevilla and Lyon fight for the last knockout round spot.

For the most part Sevilla gets the nod into the next round, while two are predicting Lyon slips by to give another spot for Ligue 1.

Let us know your Group Stage predictions in the comments below or on Twitter. How will Manchester City do?

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