Predicting which teams will make it through from each Champions League Group

Group D: Porto and Schalke

Iker Casillas will be looking to ensure clean sheets for Porto

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

Bayern Munich one of the favourites to toast winning it all in the end

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.