The Champions League returns this week for the 2023-24 season and many of the world's best players will again be looking to light up the competition. One team will come away with the trophy at Wembley in June and let's see who I think it will be.
GROUP A
BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern might see themselves as one of the favourites this season now they've signed Harry Kane who will give them what they lacked last season in an out and out no.9. They'll certainly have a better chance this season because of that but with their defence being questionable, they might fall short.
VERDICT: Semi Finals
COPENHAGEN
The Danish champions will be massive underdogs in this group as they haven't got the quality that the other sides possess. Because of this and a lack of experience at this level, they'll be heading out early.
VERDICT: Group Stage
GALATASARAY
Galatasaray have a decent squad of players and especially in attack with the likes of Wilfried Zha, Dries Mertens, Mauro Icardi and Hakim Ziyech. They could cause some surprises with the attacking players they have but I still think they might fall short.
VERDICT: Europa League
MAN UNITED
Man United have made a far from ideal start to the season in the league and are currently looking like a team in disarray as a result of it. But once they get players back fit, they should have enough to qualify from this group as they have the quality to do so.
VERDICT: Last 16
GROUP B
ARSENAL
Arsenal are back in Europe's top club competition for the first time in six seasons and it's good to have them back after years of rebuilding. They are in a tough group and may lack experience at this level, but they should still qualify from this group as they have a good young squad who will be eager to prove themselves at this level.
VERDICT: Last 16
LENS
This will be Lens first ever season in Europe's top club competition and they've been placed in a tough group. Because of this and them not having the quality that they other sides possess, I think they'll be heading out early.
VERDICT: Group Stage
PSV
PSV never go far in this competition as they usually crash out at the group stages. But they should fare a bit better this time round as they have some good attacking options. Losing Xavi Simons will be a blow, but they should still have enough to qualify from the group.
VERDICT: Last 16
SEVILLA
The Europa League winners usually sacrifice this competition in order to win the Europa League like they did last season and at various times in the past. I can see them do that again this season because of the amount of times they've done it in the past.
VERDICT: Europa League
GROUP C
BRAGA
It's been a while since Braga were last in this competition and they'll will be one of the underdogs in this group for sure. They haven't got the quality or experience to compete at this level and because of that, they'll have to settle for a Europa League place which is more their level.
VERDICT: Europa League
NAPOLI
The Serie A champions may have lost manager Luciano Spalletti, but they have managed to keep hold of their big hitters including striker Victor Oshimen. They'll definitely make it out the group but repeating what they did last season will be tough though.
PREDICTION: Last 16
REAL MADRID
Real will be again be up there among the favourites because of the history they have in this competition. But the loss of Karim Benzema has left their chances looking very slim. They'll definitely reach the latter stages but without that world class no.9, they could fall short.
VERDICT: Semi Finals
UNION BERLIN
Union Berlin are arguably the biggest underdogs in the competition with it being their first time in any European competition. Having a number of seasoned internationals in their squad including Giorgio Chiellini will help, but the other sides are more experienced in European competition. Because of this I think they'll be heading out early.
VERDICT: Group Stage
GROUP D
BENFICA
The Portuguese champions have been the surprise package in this competition for the last couple of seasons where they were in tough groups on both occasions. They're in a slightly more winnable group this time round and should again qualify for the knockout rounds. But I don't see them going as far as they have done in recent seasons.
VERDICT: Last 16
INTER MILAN
Inter surprised everyone last season by going all the way to the final where they put in a decent performance. Repeating that this season will be a tough ask though as the big sides have got stronger. They'll definitely win the group and go beyond the round of 16 but I don't see them going as far as they did last season.
VERDICT: Quarter Finals
REAL SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad have been knocking on the door of the Champions League for the last few seasons and they're finally here. They'll make it difficult for teams having had one of the best defences in La Liga last season. But with very little Champions League experience and quality in their squad, they'll have to settle for a Europa League place.
VERDICT: Europa League
RED BULL SALZBURG
Salzburg never go far in this competition as they're always placed in a tough group. They're in another tough group this season and because of that, I only see the outcome being the same.
VERDICT: Group Stage
GROUP E
ATLETICO MADRID
Atletico Madrid will be clear favourites to win this group as it doesn't look the strongest and Diego Simeone's side having more quality compared to the other sides. They might not be the team they were 5 or 6 years ago, but they should still have more than enough in them to win the group.
VERDICT: Quarter Finals
CELTIC
Celtic never go far in this competition as they haven't had the quality that most sides in this competition possess. With key man Jota gone and the squad itself lacking experience at this level, I think they'll head home early.
VERDICT: Group Stage
FEYENOORD
The Dutch champions were great to watch last season under Arne Slot and are likely to cause teams many problems by playing that way. With this group not being the strongest, they should definitely qualify for the next round.
VERDICT: Last 16
LAZIO
Lazio were last in this competition three seasons ago where they reached the round of 16. They might be in a more open group than they were last time, but I'm not sure they'll have enough quality in their team to make it out the group.
VERDICT: Europa League
GROUP F
AC MILAN
AC Milan reached the semi finals last season but repeating that this season will be tough as the big hitters have got stronger. They'll definitely have enough in them to get out the group but I think they'll come unstuck against a top side in the last 16.
VERDICT: Last 16
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Dortmund haven't gone very far since reaching the final of this competition back in 2013 and the loss of Jude Bellingham has dealt their chances a big blow. They do have a lot of experience at this level but I think they might fall just short of a place in the last 16.
VERDICT: Europa League
NEWCASTLE
Newcastle are back in Europe's top club competition for the first time since 2003 and it's good to have them back. But I think their return will be short lived as they're in a very tough group and don't have enough experience at this level unlike the other sides.
VERDICT: Group Stage
PSG
The Parisians may feel more like a team this season after losing Messi and Neymar whose world star statuses were affecting their chances. They might have a better chance this season as a result of that. But I can still see them messing it up like they always do.
VERDICT: Last 16/Quarter Finals
GROUP G
MAN CITY
City for me will again be the favourites as I don't see anyone else being as strong as them. They might be without De Bruyne for the first stage of the competition and have lost a few crucial squad players. But they still have a strong enough squad to coast through the group stages and go all the way.
VERDICT: Winners
RB LEIPZIG
RB Leipzig have caused some surprises in this competition in the past but not many since their run to the semi finals in 2020. They'll have enough quality to get out the group but not to reach the latter stages as they're likely to come undone by a top side.
VERDICT: Last 16
RED STAR BELGRADE
Red Star never do well in this competition in this competition as they're always placed in a tough group and don't have the quality that most sides in this competition have. Because of this I think they'll have to settle for at least a Europa League place.
VERDICT: Europa League
YOUNG BOYS
Young Boys will be the main underdogs in this group like they are every other time they're in this competition. With the Swiss champions in another tough group this season and with the other sides having more in quality, I think they'll head out early.
VERDICT: Group Stage
GROUP H
BARCELONA
Barcelona have been disappointing in this competition in recent seasons and especially in the last two where they went out in the group stages on both occasions. They should fare better this time round as they're in a more winnable group and because of this, they should reach the last 16 and maybe beyond.
VERDICT: Last 16/Quarter Finals
PORTO
The 2004 winners are that team who have enough to qualify but not enough to go beyond the round of 16. I can definitely see that being the case again this season as they'll should have more than enough to qualify but not enough to overcome their opponent in the last 16.
VERDICT: Last 16
SHAKHTAR DONETSK
Shakhtar never go far in this competition because they don't have the quality that most sides in the competition have. As they're in another tough group like they are most seasons, they'll again have to settle for a Euroipa League place.
VERDICT: Europa League
ROYAL ANTWERP
The Belgian champions will be massive underdogs in this group with it being their first time in this competition. With the others sides having more in quality and experience at this level, I think their stay here will be short lived.
VERDICT: Group Stages
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