UEFA Champions League 2023-24: Team previews and predictions

Thursday noticed the hotly expected draw for the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League workforce level, and what a doozy. Manchester United had been drawn in opposition to Bayern Munich in Team A, week Paris Saint-Germain were given arguably the hardest quartet in Team F, with Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle United status among them and a park within the spherical of 16.

– Full draw: Man United, Bayern Munich meet in UCL group
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Holders Manchester City will probably be closely favoured to succeed in the knockout levels upcoming drawing RB Leipzig, Pink Megastar Belgrade and Younger Boys in Team G, week Real Madrid are bidding so as to add to their report 14 Ecu Cup titles however should first see their approach thru Team C in opposition to Napoli, Braga and Union Berlin.

How will all of it play games out? Mark Ogden (Teams A, B, C and D) and Julien Laurens (Teams E, F, G and H) have assessed each and every workforce, breaking ailing the narratives, choosing the must-see fits and predicting which groups will move to the final 16.

GROUP A

Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray

This can be a workforce this is loaded with field place of business fixtures and headline-grabbing personalities, with Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane heading again to England to stand Manchester United, a membership related for see you later with the previous Tottenham striker. After all, United rather choose to signal Atalanta teenager Rasmus Hojlund and the Denmark global gets the prospect to stand his first membership, FC Copenhagen, upcoming the Danish champions have been additionally paired with United and Bayern in Team A.

Turkish champions Galatasaray whole the gang and with the attacking skills of Mauro Icardi, Dries Mertens and Wilfried Zaha of their squad, they’ll be a deadly outsider to look at.

United will indisputably be cautious of Copenhagen and Galatasaray having been suffered workforce level defeats in opposition to each groups within the year. However this workforce is all in regards to the glamour of Bayern vs. United and a repeat of the 1999 Ultimate, which United gained 2-1 with two targets in stoppage hour in Barcelona.

It’s going to be about Kane vs. Hojlund, professor Thomas Tuchel vs. Erik ten Hag and a renewal of a big Ecu contention that has been on conserve since Bayern eradicated David Moyes’s United within the 2013-14 quarterfinals.

MUST-SEE MATCH: Bayern Munich v Manchester United

Those two Ecu giants have gained 9 Champions League titles among them (Bayern six instances, United 3) and each and every season through which they play games within the festival, the target is to win it. Then again, the 2 groups are at other ranges of readiness. Bayern’s summer season journey for Kane makes them a real warning to Manchester Town’s crown this season, however United are nonetheless in transition underneath Ten Hag and nonetheless glance a way decrease of being a Champions League winner once more.

The 2 video games in opposition to Bayern will probably be an actual gauge of United’s talent to compete in opposition to Europe’s elite, making for shrewd TV at Used Trafford and the Allianz Enviornment.

PREDICTION: Bayern Munich, Guy United, Galatasaray, FC Copenhagen

Bayern are more likely to dominate the gang and may win each and every sport as they aim to hammer house their credentials. The drama will come within the race for 2nd spot and even if United must have enough quantity to qualify with Bayern, their inconsistency will probably be a priority for Ten Hag.

United’s hopes of development are more likely to depend on their ends up in Istanbul and Copenhagen. In the event that they lose both of the ones video games, later it’ll be an actual fight to assemble it into the Spherical of 16. Be careful for Galatasaray, despite the fact that, as they’re greater than able to springing an disillusioned.

GROUP B

Arsenal are again within the Champions League for the primary hour in six years and Mikel Arteta’s facet have had a cushy touchdown upcoming being grouped with Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Lens.

Despite the fact that Sevilla have grow to be the perennial Europa League winners – final season’s luck earned them a park some of the seeded groups in Pot 1 – they completed twelfth in L. a. Liga, week neither PSV nor Lens gained their respective leagues. PSV made it thru to the gang level with a at ease win in opposition to Rangers within the qualifiers, however they’re not going to pose a warning to Arsenal, in spite of a 2-0 win in opposition to the Gunners within the Europa League workforce level final October.

And week Lens narrowly ignored out at the Ligue 1 name final season, completing only a level at the back of champions Paris Saint-Germain, they have got misplaced final time period’s 21-goal peak scorer, Loïs Openda, to RB Leipzig this summer season.

In the event that they play games to the rest like their possible, Arsenal must win Team B with ease and earn themselves a park some of the seeded groups for the Spherical of 16 in the second one part of the season.

MUST-SEE MATCH: Sevilla vs. Arsenal

Regardless of Sevilla’s lowly end in L. a. Liga final season, they’re a staff this is stacked with Ecu pedigree having gained seven Europa League titles in simply 17 years. They have got by no means been ready to translate that luck into Champions League glory, however there is not any suspicion that they have got the pedigree to fight it out with Arsenal for peak spot within the workforce.

If Sevilla can win certainly one of their fits in opposition to the Gunners, later peak spot will come into play games and which may be important for the hopes of each side with regards to going deep into the contest.

PREDICTION: Arsenal, Sevilla, Lens, PSV

Arsenal have evolved into one of the most most powerful groups within the Premier League underneath Mikel Arteta and week they nonetheless deficit top-level Ecu revel in, this workforce provides them the chance to spice up their wisdom in opposition to mid-ranking opposition.

Sevilla would be the largest warning to Arsenal completing peak, however neither PSV nor Lens have the energy or intensity to problem. This will probably be Arsenal and Sevilla the entire approach, with the Premier League staff perhaps to return out on peak.

GROUP C

Napoli, Actual Madrid, SC Braga, Union Berlin

This appears to be one of the most extra imbalanced teams, with Italian champions Napoli and Actual Madrid more likely to be approach too sturdy for Braga and a Union Berlin facet making the membership’s debut within the festival. Braga completed a isolated 3rd at the back of Benfica and Porto within the Primera Liga final season, however they have been nonetheless ready to edge out Wearing for Portugal‘s ultimate Champions League spot. Union Berlin, in the meantime, completed fourth within the Bundesliga simply 4 years upcoming being promoted to Germany‘s peak category for the primary hour.

In opposition to such Ecu heavyweights as Actual and Napoli, it will appear that Braga and Berlin will probably be combating it out for 3rd spot within the workforce and the prospect to loose into the knockout levels of the Europa League.

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U.S. ahead Brenden Aaronson, on mortgage at Union from Leeds United, gets a style of top-level Champions League property when he faces Actual and Napoli, however it’ll be a tricky workforce for the Bundesliga minnows. The weighty query will focal point on whether or not Actual are able to bop again from final season’s semifinal in opposition to Manchester Town via successful the gang, or if Napoli can disillusioned former boss Carlo Ancelotti and peak the gang rather.

MUST-SEE MATCH: Union Berlin vs. Actual Madrid

There may be valuable slight romance within the modern day Champions League, but if 14-time Ecu champions Actual Madrid talk over with the 22,000-capacity Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, it’ll be a kind of moments that the Union Berlin fanatics will cherish perpetually.

A membership with roots within the impaired East Germany, Union continued difficult monetary instances within the Nineteen Nineties and nearly suffered chapter on two events. They didn’t even play games within the Bundesliga till 2019, which makes the probability of going through Actual Madrid within the Champions League an extraordinary fairytale for the contest.

PREDICTION: Actual Madrid, Napoli, Braga, Union Berlin

Even supposing Actual have misplaced Karim Benzema to Al Ittihad and with Vinícius Júnior more likely to leave out the early level of the gang due trauma, they hardly ever aim to do the rest alternative than peak their workforce. Napoli will push them the entire approach and their bold house report will give them a prospect of thrashing Actual at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, however Actual understand how to navigate the gang level.

Braga’s larger Ecu revel in must give them the brink over Union Berlin within the race for 3rd spot.

GROUP D

This workforce is broad i’m free and any of the 4 groups may end peak, thereby making it into the Spherical of 16. Regardless of attaining final season’s ultimate ahead of shedding to Manchester Town in Istanbul, Inter have misplaced goalkeeper André Onana and strikers Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku right through the summer season switch window, making them some distance weaker than they have been one year in the past.

Benfica have been crushed via Inter on the quarterfinal level final season, however they’re the favourites to win the gang. It gained’t be simple for the Portuguese champions, despite the fact that, as a result of Salzburg have proved themselves to be a robust workforce level competitor — particularly at house — week Actual Sociedad also are able to beating each and every staff within the workforce.

Salzburg usually are the staff to look at because of their talent to continuously unearth younger ability to interchange the gamers they have got left the scene. Sadio Mané, Erling Haaland and Benjamin Sesko have all come in the course of the Salzburg gadget ahead of depart for larger golf equipment, so it’ll be shrewd to peer who emerges this hour round.

MUST-SEE MATCH: Benfica vs. Inter

The Italian staff eradicated Benfica on methods to the overall final season, however summer season departures have weakened Simone Inzaghi’s squad; this hit will leave luminous on whether or not Inter can also be aggressive once more this yr.

Inter’s historical past as three-time winners and their proud historical past will assure they’re underneath intense power to emerge from the gang, however they’ll wish to get no less than one certain outcome in opposition to Benfica to steer clear of being dragged right into a scrap for 2nd park.

PREDICTION: Benfica, Salzburg, Inter, Actual Sociedad

Benfica’s fresh pedigree and the intimidating Estadio da Luz assemble them favourites to peak the gang, nevertheless it may well be near the entire approach till matchday six because of all groups being of a matching point.

Salzburg have confirmed to be a reliable outfit in opposition to wealthier golf equipment from more potent leagues in fresh seasons week Actual Sociedad’s luck in completing fourth in L. a. Liga highlights their property. If Inter are sturdy, they’ll assemble the peak two, however they give the impression of being to have misplaced too many key gamers in the summertime.

GROUP E

This is without doubt one of the maximum fascinating teams on this draw. Atletico Madrid should be the favourites, despite the fact that their mode in fresh Ecu campaigns has no longer been splendid. They have got began actually neatly their season locally and if Diego Simeone can assemble this staff play games a extra attacking taste in Europe, they’ll be dried to overcome.

Past them, issues are wide-open. Celtic Ground should be a fort for Brendan Rodgers’ staff to advance, however they are able to do it. Lazio had been needful in Serie A to this point this season, shedding their first two video games, and stated see you later to their perfect participant, midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, in the summertime. Then again, Feyenoord additionally misplaced their playmaker, Orkun Kökcü, and their deficit of revel in on this festival may well be a topic.

MUST-SEE MATCH: Feyenoord vs. Celtic

Remove this sport the way in which you wish to have, both in Glasgow or in Rotterdam, it doesn’t topic as you’re in for a deal with as two of the most productive atmospheres and units of fanatics in Europe aim to “out-chant” each and every alternative. It’s going to be a unique environment whether or not it’s at Celtic Ground or at De Kuip.

PREDICTION: Atletico Madrid, Celtic, Feyenoord, Lazio

I imagine this can be a workforce that the Spanish staff must win. There will probably be tough away ties, however they’re the most powerful facet. In the back of them, I fancy Celtic to snatch 2nd park with a splendid house run and a forged efficiency clear of house.

GROUP F

Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United

That is indisputably the toughest of this season’s Champions League workforce levels. It’s a superior draw if you’re a impartial fan; a nightmare for those who’re keen on any of those 4 groups. With Milan in Pot 3, there was once at all times a possibility of a stacked workforce, and that is it!

PSG must be little favourites as a result of they have got Kylian Mbappé, the most productive participant on this planet, again of their ranks upcoming any other summer season of questioning whether or not he’d be depart. Luis Enrique is making an attempt to assemble his PSG squad play games like a correct staff and upcoming a summer season of transfers, they’ll be examined to the prohibit via this workforce!

Milan aren’t some distance at the back of them upcoming just right recruitment in the summertime — Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Yunus Musah and Samuel Chukwueze are all splendid additions — and their semifinal run in final season’s festival. Borussia Dortmund have struggled to this point in 2023-24, and shedding Jude Bellingham to Actual Madrid this summer season leaves an opening in midfield that they’ll aim to fill.

In any case, Newcastle have a champagne draw for his or her go back upcoming a 20-year absence. They have got not anything to lose, and can compete with PSG and Milan for a park within the final 16.

MUST-SEE MATCH: PSG vs. Newcastle United

This can be a fight of groups with Center Jap homeowners, as PIF-backed Newcastle tackle Qatar-owned PSG. Eddie Howe and his gamers gained’t worry somebody and can imagine they have got a prospect, week PSG will probably be underneath large power to not be disillusioned via the underdogs.

PREDICTIONS: PSG, Newcastle United, Milan, Borussia Dortmund

I be expecting a weighty fight between PSG, Newcastle and Milan for the peak two spots. Dortmund are obviously at the back of the others, which means it’s between Milan and Newcastle for 2nd park — I fancy the Magpies in spite of their deficit of revel in on this festival.

GROUP G

Manchester Town, RB Leipzig, Pink Megastar Belgrade, Younger Boys

If there was once a possible dream draw for Manchester Town, it will most certainly be very near to the only they in reality won in Monaco on Thursday evening.

The holders will face RB Leipzig, whom they destroyed final season of their last-16 house tied, with Erling Haaland scoring 5 targets. Leipzig are nonetheless a just right staff, however upcoming shedding their two perfect gamers (defender Josko Gvardiol to Guy Town, playmaker Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea), they’re no longer the power they old to be. Upcoming you’ve got Pink Megastar Belgrade and Younger Boys, two of the weakest aspects on this draw.

Town very a lot were given the good fortune of the draw right here. Pep Guardiola will have the ability to rotate his staff simply, and the Ecu champions may qualify for the final 16 very early. Even for Leipzig, this can be a just right draw taking into account the extent of the alternative two groups within the workforce. The Germans will fancy hugely their possibilities to move.

MUST-SEE MATCH: Guy Town vs. RB Leipzig

Manchester Town didn’t lose a unmarried sport final season of their successful marketing campaign final yr, however the only hour they have been somewhat rattled was once in reality in Leipzig, the place the house facet gave them a just right run for his or her cash and were given a powerful draw. They have been later battered again in Manchester in the second one leg, however let’s see what occurs this hour in Leipzig.

PREDICTIONS: Guy Town, Leipzig, Pink Megastar, Younger Boys

There is not any fit for Town on this workforce and there is not any fit for Leipzig outdoor of Town both. They’re going to qualify simply for the final 16, depart Pink Megastar and Younger Boys to combat for a park within the Europa League.

GROUP H

What a distinction for Barcelona in comparison to a yr in the past! Extreme season, they were given the hardest draw, with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. This hour, they were given one of the most more uncomplicated teams and Xavi will probably be more than pleased with who they’re going through.

Porto are at all times a just right staff to play games in opposition to and Portuguese groups haven’t been amusing for Barcelona. Then again, the Catalans will probably be hungry to turn that they are able to do higher within the festival than final yr.

That stated, Porto must even be pleased with the draw, as they venture to be too sturdy for Antwerp and Shakhtar. For the Belgian champions, what a deal with to be there — they’ll revel in each and every 2nd upcoming having waited 66 years since their final, and simplest, look within the festival. For the Ukrainians, it’s any other prospect to offer some pleasure, hope and assistance to their fanatics and their society.

MUST-SEE MATCH: Antwerp vs. Barcelona

It’s a real David in opposition to Goliath. For his or her go back within the peak membership’s festival, Antwerp are going through one of the most largest golf equipment on this planet. The condition will probably be implausible and this is a simply praise for his or her superb Belgium name final season.

PREDICTIONS: Barcelona, Porto, Antwerp, Shakhtar Donetsk

Barcelona will peak this workforce simply. If their away sport in Porto could be somewhat tough, they’ll be too sturdy. Porto will end 2nd with out excess bother and I feel Antwerp can end 3rd and qualify for the Europa League. They have got splendid self belief and momentum, in addition to not anything to lose.