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The Champions League draw for the 2018/2019 season was conducted in Monaco and threw up some potentially exciting match-ups. While some fans will look at their team's opponents and start preparing for the knockout stages, the majority of groups are not so straightforward.
There will be a couple of heavyweight clashes early on in the competition and some intriguing storylines. Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba will come up against the teams with which they made their names when Juventus play Manchester United. Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool will see two of Europe's most electrifying trios go head-to-head. Tottenham, on their part, will look to move past three former European champions: Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSV Eindhoven.
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We take a look at the teams that are most likely to proceed from each of the eight groups bearing in mind the quality of the teams, recent performances and experience among other factors.
Group A: Atletico Madrid and Dortmund
Atletico Madrid should prove to be too much for the rest of their Group A opponents based on their experience in Europe and the caliber of players within the squad. The Europa League champions boast the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Diego Costa and Diego Godin who possess quality and a winning mentality. Diego Simeone's side will also be seeking to perform better this season after an underwhelming Champions League campaign last season.
Loan signing Paco Alcacer from Barcelona will be expected to provide the goals that will propel Borussia Dortmund back among Europe's elite. The striker will play alongside the likes of Marco Reus, Christian Pulisic and Axel Witsel which should be enough for head coach Lucien Favre to mastermind progress to the knockout rounds.
Monaco and Belgian champions Club Brugge will provide stiff competition. However, with the French club having sold most of their prized assets in recent seasons and the Belgian club lacking experience at this level, it is unlikely the two teams will unseat the group favorites.
Group B: Tottenham and Barcelona
On paper, Group B is expected to be one of the most competitive. Barcelona, who are in the habit of topping their Champions League group, are seen as the favorites to do so again ahead of Spurs, Inter Milan and Dutch champions PSV. Despite losing Andres Iniesta in the summer, they continue to boast one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi. Having strengthened their depth in the transfer window, Barca are well-equipped to battle on every front this season.
Tottenham will likely push Barcelona all the way and might even top the group. On their day, Spurs are a nightmare opponent for anyone and their improved consistency recently means they will be a massive threat this season.
PSV will come into the group with the potential to cause an upset against their much-fancied opponents but their lack of experience means it is unlikely they will make it through. Italian giants Inter, on the other hand, are dangerous but also very inconsistent.
Group C: PSG and Liverpool
UCL favorites Paris Saint-Germain have spent an incredible amount of money in an attempt to win the Champions League having established their dominance in Ligue 1. A front three of Cavani, Neymar and Mbappe should be enough firepower to see PSG through the group. To do so they will have to overcome last season's Champions League finalists Liverpool, Italian powerhouse Napoli and Crvena Zvezda (or Red Star Belgrade).
The qualifying teams from the group are likely to be two of PSG, Napoli and Liverpool. Based on their experience of last season, and the improvement Liverpool have made under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool will most likely qualify along with the French giants. Expect Napoli to have something to say about this though. For Red Star, anything other than a bottom-place finish will be a bonus.
Group D: Porto and Schalke
One of the most difficult groups to predict on paper because none of the teams can be considered to be overly superior to the rest. Their lack of consistency displayed in the early games of the season means that the qualifying spots are up for grabs.
Porto are likely to finish top though given their recent experience playing in Europe. The Portuguese giants tend to raise their game when it comes to the Champions League. German side Schalke 04, who finished behind dominant champions Bayern Munich, have had a stop-start campaign thus far but they possess the quality to go through in second.
Turkish champions Galatasaray are a decent side and will be tough to beat especially at home. The same can be said of Russian champions Lokomotiv Moskva who will seek to take advantage of the cold Russian weather to pull off a surprise.
Group E: Bayern and Ajax
As Germany's group stage exit at the World Cup 2018 proved, qualification from the group is never a foregone conclusion. That said, it is hard to fathom a group stage exit for German champions Bayern. One of the favourites to go all the way, the Bavarians are likely to finish top of Group E.
The battle for second place in the group should be hotly contested with Benfica, Ajax and AEK Athens looking to make it through. Ajax who have started the new season in sparkling fashion are a good shout to finish 2nd as their young stars seek to establish themselves on the European scene.
Benfica will be seeking redemption after losing all of their group games last season. Greek champions AEK are a dangerous opponent and are capable of pulling off an upset in the group.
Group F: Man City and Shakhtar
Pep Guardiola will get another go at landing the Citizens their maiden Champions League crown. To do so, City must first navigate a group containing Shakhtar, Lyon and Hoffenheim. While the three make for tricky opponents, expect the Manchester club to make it through due to their supreme quality.
Second place will witness a fierce battle considering the remaining teams appear to be on equal footing. Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk are a strong pick to go through as a result of their recent experience in Europe and their consistency overall.
While strong teams in their own right, Hoffenheim and Lyon need to find the consistency required to make a mark on the big stage. If either of them plays their best throughout the group stages, a knockout berth would be an attainable goal.
Group G: Real Madrid and Roma
Surely not four in a row for Real Madrid? No Cristiano Ronaldo, no Zinedine Zidane, no problem for Real Madrid as their explosive start to the new league season has proved. Superstar names such as Modric, Ramos, Kroos and Bale should be sufficient to ensure Los Blancos remain one of the favourites for the crown. As such, they should have no problem navigating through Group G.
Joining them should be last year's Champions League semifinalists AS Roma who despite selling the likes of Alisson and Radja Nainggolan, possess enough quality in their ranks. With the likes of Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi, Justin Kluivert and Cengiz Under, their mix of youth and experience makes them an interesting prospect.
Russian giants CSKA Moskow are no pushovers and will likely give Roma a run for their money. Czech Republic champions Viktoria Plzen are unlikely to make it through but are bound to give it their all.
Group H: Juventus and Manchester United
Juventus have impressed in the Champions League in recent seasons without actually winning the trophy. Who better to help the Old Lady get over the line than the man who has constantly tormented them and halted their progress? Cristiano Ronaldo's signing has been seen as one which could see Juventus go all the way with the man boasting five UEFA Champions League titles and holding the record for the most goals UCL history with 120.
It would be hard to imagine a Jose Mourinho managed side getting eliminated in the group stage and Manchester United have enough quality to qualify. Despite their early-season concerns, United are expected to have clicked into gear once the Champions League starts and will be a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
Valencia are a really good side but their inconsistency and the fact that they haven't experienced the UCL knockout rounds since the 2012/2013 season will ultimately hold them back.
Fresh from their first Swiss Super League title in 32 years, Young Boys will make their debut in the Champions League group stage. Any points gained will be an achievement and qualification is highly unlikely.
