Dortmund look the class act in qualification

In our second part of our Champions League preview we look at groups E-H

GROUP E

CHELSEA: Should have no problems coming through this group as Jose Mourinho seeks to win the one trophy he never managed as manager of the London side. The Blues did not get out the group stages last time though should do so this time.

SCHALKE: The Germans reached the last 16 last time out topping a group that featured Arsenal. They have made a solid start to the Bundesliga sitting in ninth place.

BASEL: The Swiss side failed to qualify for the groups last season getting knocked out in the play-off. They are back this time and are always dangerous at their own ground.

STEAUA BUCHAREST: Once giants of Europé now back in the group stages for the first time since 2008. Currently sit fourth in their domestic league early in the season.

VERDICT: Chelsea should have few problems qualifying from this group and are likely to top it. Schalke should come second though look for Basel at value to win home games.

GROUP F

BORUSSIA DORTMUND: The runners-up from last season have made a fine start to their domestic season and are the ones to beat. ARSENAL: The Gunners have made a strong start to life in the Premier League and went out on away goals to the eventual winners Bayern Munich last season.

NAPOLI: Rafa Benitez lead Chelsea to Europa League glory last season and now he will aim for Champions League success with the early Serie A leaders.

MARSEILLE: You have to feel for the French side as they could have qualified from most other groups yet fourth is the likely finish for the side who have started well in Ligue 1.

VERDICT: All four sides have strong claims to qualifcation though I think Marseille are the weakest of the four and Dortmund the strongest. Take the Germans at 6/4 (sportingbet/STAN JAMES) to top the group.

GROUP G

ATLETICO MADRID: Currently sitting second in Spain with four wins from four games, Atletico could be dangerous dark-horses to win the whole thing.

PORTO: The side from Portugal always command respect and always seem to find a way to make the knockout stages.

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG: The Russians finished third in their group behind Malaga and Milan last time out and currently sit second in their domestic league.

AUSTRIA VIENNA: Making their first appearance in the Champions League group stages, the Austrian champions are renowned domestically for eye-catching football.

VERDICT: boylesports/WINNER go 5/4 on Atletico to win the group and this looks value against a weaker than usual Porto team and a solid if unspectacular Zenit. Vienna might not be the pushovers that people think.

GROUP H BARCELONA: The Catalan side have started their domestic campaign on fire and they will look to bounce back after a hammering from Bayern in this competition last season. MILAN: Like Porto another side who make the knockout stages often but also in recent seasons have not had enough talent to get to the business end of the competition. AJAX: Unfortunate to be drawn alongside Dortmund and Madrid in the group stages last year, currently sit fourth in their domestic league. CELTIC: A really weak domestic league allows the Glasgow side to fully concentrate on this. Home form makes them a threat for the knockout stages.

VERDICT: Barcelona look the class act and should qualify though the battle is wide-open for second and with this not being a vintage edition of either Milan or Ajax then perhaps there is some value in Celtic to qualify at 12/1 (SKYBET).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Dortmund to win Group F, 6/4 (sportingbet/STAN JAMES)
SILVER: Atletico Madrid to win win Group G, 5/4 (boylesports/WINNER)
BRONZE: Celtic to qualify from Group H, 12/1 (SKYBET)

Go To bet365

#Ad

16/09/2013     © Frixo 2026