Group E:
Winners: FC Barcelona – The defending champions need not fear anyone, except maybe PSV, whose defender Joshua Brenet wants to eat their front trio alive. Paris, Juventus & Arsenal could concern the Blaugrana, however they should be able to comfortably beat Benfica, Dynamo Kyiv & Gent.
Runners Up: AS Roma – The Giallorossi qualified with only 6 points, tieing the record for the lowest points total to qualify. Having conceded 16 goals in the group stages, Roma have reason to worry – Real Madrid, Wolfsburg, Atlético, Manchester City, Bayern, Chelsea and even Zenit represent sides that could resonably defeat the Italians over two legs.
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Group F:
Winners: Bayern Munich – The Bundesliga champions qualified with comfort from their group, a 2-0 reverse against Arsenal being their only blip. ‘FC Hollywood’ have to be cautious as they could face PSG & Juventus in the Round-of-16. Bayern should be confident of progressing if they draw any of PSV, Benfica, Roma, Dynamo Kyiv, or Gent
Runners Up: Arsenal – The Gunners miraculously qualified for the knockout stages, defeating Olympiakos 3-0 in Greece to progress. The Gunners could potentially face mouth-watering trips to Spain, possibly drawing any of Real Madrid, Atlético & Barcelona. Wolfsburg & Zenit are sides that Arsenal will hope they get drawn against, however given their debacle against Monaco last season, Arsenal should be concerned anyway.
Group G:
Winners: Chelsea – The embattled London club are taking succour from their European form, topping their group with 13 points, just 2 short of their league return. The Blues went out to PSG last year and could be drawn against them again, while also be hping to avoid trips to Italy to face Juventus & Roma. Chelsea will hope to draw one of PSV, Benfica or Gent to maximize their chances of progressing.
Runners Up: Dynamo Kyiv – The Ukranian champions have made it to the group stages after a run of 10 consecutive seasons without qualifying. They cannot face Group H winners Zenit St. Petersburg, on account of security concerns regarding staging that game. Instead Dynamo could face European giants Real Madrid, Barcelona & Bayern. Wolfsburg, Atlético and Manchester City aren’t easier trips, so Kyiv should hope for a miracle to qualify over two legs.
Group H:
Winners: Zenit St. Petersburg – The Russians were in sparkling form in the group stage, winning all their games except for the last against runners up Gent. Manager Andre Vilas-Boas can face former rivals Benfica. The Russians will hope that long trips to Russia will affect PSG, Juventus, Roma & Arsenal to aid Zenit in their progress. PSV Eindhoven are the only side that Zenit can realistically beat on paper over two legs.
Runners Up: KAA Gent – The Belgian champions had a fairytale group stage, defeating Zenit in the final group game to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in their history. Gent have to potential to experience dream European nights against Real Madrid, Atlético, Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern & Chelsea. Wolfsburg‘s Volskwagen Arena may not have the same European allure as Gent’s other potential opponents, but represent the Belgian side’s best chance to qualify.
The draw will be streamed live on uefa.com
