Wow! It's here again.The Europe biggest and finest
competition had her draw, August 30th,2012.The
competition has become Europe elite competition where 32 Teams battle out for glory.
The draws were exciting as expected with some exciting fixtures. These are my predictions for each
group. Kindly follow.
Group A: Porto,Dynamo Kyiv, PSG, Dinamo
Zagreb
Porto is known for her attacking prowess and has
consistently qualified for the champions’ league,a very experience side in the
competition. You would not want to risk your hard earned money against them
Dynamo Kyiv, the Ukrainian club will surely cause upset in
the group but the team inconsistency in the competition could cost them a lot.
Paris St. German’s so much money has turned around the club
fortune and world class players have been brought into the team, but they are still
work in progress ,but with an experienced coach, they will do just fine.
Dynamo Zagreb relatively not among the most popular names we
hear among the Europe elite. But will be
a banana skin to some teams but can also be affected by inconsistency.
Prediction:
Porto qualifies
PSG qualifies
Dynamokiyv---Europa
Arsenal, have always qualified for the competition under Le
Prof and also lost two key players this
season in RVP and Alex Song Manchester United and FCBarcelona respectively. The
new players in are also work in progress but am sure they will get it right in
the group stage of the competition at least.
Schalke 04, the German side have a decent squad which can
cause an upset in the competition and have added some quality in the squad even
with the departure of all time goal scorer of the competition in Raul Gonzalez,
I see the team getting it right.
Olympicaos, the Greek have been known to make their home a
fortress but their general performance in the game in the recent times have been
worriedsome. But being a disciplined
defensive team is sure of surprises.
Montepellier, the first time into the Europe elite
competition, a decent side also with no much is known about them ,but they were
Ligue 1champions last season fighting it hard with PSG.They will come to the
party but I don’t expect a miracle for
them.
Prediction:
Arsenal qualifies
Schalke 04 qualifies
Olympiacos Europa League
Group C: Milan, Zenit St Petersburg, Anderlecht
and Malaga
Milan are a traditional team in this competition, 7times
champions,sold two key players in Zlatan and Thiago Silva and departure of the
old warhorses.Milan always come to the party in this competition in the UEFA
champions league
Zenit St Petersburg the Russian league is becoming a money
spinning league with Hulk and Axel Witsel moving to the club for $100m I think
these boys will prove what they have got in the game.
Anderlecht ,the Belgian side will always spring one or two
surprises and upset but I don’t see them coming to the party yet.
Malaga the Spainish club makes it to the competition for the
first time and a good coach in Manuel Pelligrini,the investors in the club sold
its key player to Arsenal and Zenitst Petersburg.I love the team decency.Could
they be Villarreal in 2006? Only time will tell.
Prediction:
Milan qualifies(Qualifies)
ZenitstPetersburg(Qualifies)
Malaga (Europa League)
Real Madrid are known as the all time winner of the competition,
A complete defense,A complete midfield and attack and a no nonsense manager in
Jose Mourinho.The team will surely come with intent. I tip them for glory.
Manchester City second time on the champions league in a row
am sure last season thought them a lot of lesson, they should pick important
point at home. A decent side also.
Ajax they are not minnows in this competition but the game
have changed so much in terms of investment in various club but am sure they can
upset any team anytime.
Borussia Dortmund also their second consecutive season also
a decent attacking team lost Kagawa but they got Gotze who could run the midfield
and attack.This is one of the most difficult groups.
Prediction:
Real Madrid qualifies
Manchester
City(qualifies)
Ajax (Europa League)
Group E: FCChelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk,
Juventus, Nordsjaelland
Chelsea are European Champions, defeating Bayern on penalty
shootout last season. The club made some good signings and I am sure they will
be ready to defend their title. I see a difficult match at Shaktar Donestk and Nordsjaelland.
Juventus will surely be a nut to crack.
Shakhtar Donetsk has a good home record in the competition. Average
attacking players .we will surely see some surprises from them 
Juventus are back fully
after the match fixing scandal that befell them few years ago. They have built
a very good team since their return. This is buttressed with their performance
in the last Scudeto. Their league form is out of this world. Even though they
appear to be new again in the competition but obviously, they are not strangers.
I believe they have a lot of items to bring to the table this season.
Nordsjaelland an unknown Danish club side in the
competition. They must not be taken for granted. I see them causing upset and
could also be the weakest link for any club in this group.
Prediction:
Chelsea (qualifies)
Juventus (qualifies)
Shaktar Donetsk(Europa League)
Group F:Bayern
Munich,Valencia,Lille,Bate Borisov
Bayern Munich were 1st season runner up. I m sure the team were disappointed not to have
won the trophy in front of their home fans. I expect them to send a message in
this competition. They have made some quality signings. I tip them for glory.
Valencia club have
been consistent in the past five seasons qualifying for the competition. They
are a decent team. Soldado was in form last season. I hope he keeps his form
this season for the team.
Lille the French club sold one of her prized assets to the
European champions. I am not expecting much from them but I can rule out any
surprise all the same.
Bate Borisov the Belarus club are unknown because of their
less media attention and viewership. Surprises? Yes ! But at the end, can’t say of their
qualification
Prediction:
Bayern Munich(Qualifies)
Valencia(Qualifies)
Lille(Europa League)
Group G: Barcelona,Benfica,Spartak
Moscow,Celtic
Barcelona ,a team that plays the game telling a story either
poetry or art. They are a delight to watch with their possessive style of play
, always tip them for glory. My concern is the new coach, but really those guys
could do without a coach.(Just Kidding).
Benfica another decent team full of talent and skills and
another attack minded team .They will surprise any team.
Spartak Moscow took the spot from CSKA Moscow, an average
side though but a banana skin for any team.
Celtic traditional English team with an arrogant manager and
building a young side but will frustrate a lot of team in this group.
Prediction:
Barcelona (Qualifies),
Benfica (Qualifies)
Celtic(Europa League)
Group H:Man
United,Braga,Galastasaray,CFR Cluj
Man United having played badly last season in this
competition, they have made some few signings in RVP and Kagawa some other few
players. I see them going through but should work on their defensive lapses If
the last history must not repeat itself.
Braga , the second time qualifying for the competition. They
could cause upset among big teams. A delight side to watch.
Galastasaray a decent
Turkish team with some attacking
prowess. I am sure they came for the party this season.
CFR Cluj the Romanian club is an average side but they are
in a tough group I hope luck works for them.
Prediction:
Man United (qualifies)
Galastasaray(qualifies)
Braga(Europa League)
PLEASE MAKE YOUR COMMENT IF YOU HAVE ANY. THANKS
Taiwo Akinseye
Well done Taiwo, but do you honestly think Montepellier and Borussia Dortmund wont make it? I have a feeling that one big team would crash out. Dunno who yet.
ReplyDeleteGood analysis tho.