Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City will be quite pleased with the results of the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League group stage draw.

The three English clubs fared well in Groups A, E, and F, respectively, while Chelsea and Tottenham were drawn beside Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, respectively.

Juventus and Barcelona were paired up in Group D while Paris Saint-Germain will hope its €222-million investment in Neymar will pay off against Bayern Munich in Group B.

Here’s how we predict the Champions League group stage will pan out:

Group A

Devoid of any meaningful challenger, the Red Devils are all smiles in Group A.

United should cruise to the top of the pile over six matchdays while FC Basel, SL Benfica, and CSKA Moscow battle it out for the second spot. The edge goes to the Portuguese outfit, of course, but CSKA can prove a tricky opponent.

But in the end, Jose Mourinho’s side won’t find too much trouble here.

Predicted finish:

1. Manchester United
2. SL Benfica
3. CSKA Moscow
4. FC Basel

Group B

It’s time for PSG – and Neymar – to shine.

After spending an ungodly amount of money on the Brazilian star (and with reports suggesting a similar investment in Kylian Mbappe is imminent), the Parisian outfit will look to prove any doubters wrong with an early statement against the Bavarian club over two matches.

Celtic comes into the competition on the back of an incredible undefeated domestic campaign and will likely beat Anderlecht to the Europa League spot.

Predicted finish:

1. Paris Saint-Germain
2. Bayern Munich
3. Celtic
4. Anderlecht

Group C

Diego Costa won’t admit it, but he’s likely not rooting for his current employer in Group C, as Chelsea and Atletico Madrid present two different periods of his career. Now stuck in limbo, the Spanish striker has made no secret of his desire to return to Atletico. That said, he’s unlikely to be much of a factor here.

While his fiery nature won’t be on display, there will be plenty of ferocity from managers Antonio Conte and Diego Simeone to make up for it.

AS Roma is one of the big losers of the draw, while Qarabag is just happy to be invited.

Predicted finish:

1. Atletico Madrid
2. Chelsea
3. AS Roma
4. Qarabag

Group D

One of Barcelona or Juventus will top Group D, and for good reason; neither Sporting CP or Olympiacos present much of a threat. Neymar’s absence at Barcelona stunts the team’s triumvirate, but Juventus has a cavity of their own as Leonardo Bonucci now calls AC Milan home.

How the two teams handle their unexpected losses will set the tone for Group D.

Predicted finish:

1. Juventus
2. Barcelona
3. Sporting CP
4. Olympiacos

Group E

Spartak Moscow avoided a lot of the troublesome teams in Pots 2 and 3, though Liverpool and Sevilla aren’t exactly cakewalks. Still, it’s the Russian champion that’s most likely to surprise in Group E.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will have a chance at redemption after its Europa League final loss to Sevilla in 2016, but Monchi’s former side might stumble in its trip to Moscow, and that might prove the difference here.

Maribor? Thanks for coming out.

Predicted finish:

1. Liverpool
2. Spartak Moscow
3. Sevilla
4. Maribor

Group F

Shakhtar Donetsk edges Feyenoord for the Europa League spot, but the real battle will be at the top of the group, where it’s all breezy in Manchester. Pep Guardiola’s side faces competition from free-flowing Napoli.

The Italian club has the attacking firepower to push City all the way in the race for top spot in the section.

Predicted finish:

1. Manchester City
2. Napoli
3. Shakhtar Donetsk
4. Feyenoord

Group G

There’s a lot of young talent in Group G. AS Monaco, FC Porto, and RB Leipzig have each found success by identifying and developing young talent, before selling them for a major profit.

But those talented youngsters still produce exciting football before being sold, giving us an intriguing group that could go a number of ways. Monaco is the favourite – despite losing a collection of stars this summer – but RB Leipzig is more than capable of an upset, while FC Porto and Besiktas always prove tough opposition

Predicted finish:

1. AS Monaco
2. FC Porto
3. RB Leipzig
4. Besiktas

Group H

Rounding out the group stage is Real Madrid, the reigning champion who will be heavily favoured to top the quartet. Poor Tottenham has quite a job on hand as Mauricio Pochettino’s side tries to take points off Borussia Dortmund – Spurs will pray Barcelona signs Ousmane Dembele quickly.

A Real Madrid-Spurs clash offers a reunion for Luka Modric and Gareth Bale but that sentimentality will only extend as far as the opening whistle. As for APOEL? Stunningly, we predict a last-placed finish here.

Predicted finish:

1. Real Madrid
2. Borussia Dortmund
3. Tottenham Hotspur
4. APOEL

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

Thursday’s Champions League draw served up eight groups of varying difficulty. Some clubs will feel more apprehensive than others about their chances of reaching the knockout round. But UEFA itself can feel happy that there’s plenty of good television to come.

Here are the winners and losers from the day in Monaco:

Winner: Manchester United

The draw treated Manchester United well after a brief hiatus from the competition. As a result of winning last season’s Europa League title, the Red Devils landed a fortunate berth in Pot 2 to avoid, at the very least, the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

And fate dealt United a good hand. By far the favourite ahead of Benfica, FC Basel, and CSKA Moscow, Jose Mourinho’s side has a great chance to enter the Round of 16 as an all-important first-place finisher.

Loser: Tottenham

Related – Champions League group stage draw: PSG meets Bayern, Juve and Barca clash

Things don’t get any easier for Tottenham.

Wracked by a poor record at Wembley Stadium, Spurs now need to win as many points as possible at their temporary home ground to have any hope of advancing to the knockout stage. Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have significant experience in this tournament, and even APOEL Nicosia reached the latter part of the Champions League in recent years.

Tottenham’s progress as a club will be measured by its performances in the Champions League. With a new stadium being built, Spurs have promised the start of a new era. This is their chance to show everyone where they are as a team – or how far they still have to go.

To compound the misery, Mauricio Pochettino’s men must prepare for a daunting two-week stretch at the end of October in which they face Madrid twice, Liverpool, and United.

Winner: Russia

Considering all the available outcomes, Russian sides Spartak Moscow and CSKA Moscow should feel relatively pleased. As the winner of the Russian Premier League, Massimo Carrera’s Spartak side had the luxury of being a top seed, but Pot 2 and 3 still could’ve offered significant obstacles. Against Sevilla, Liverpool, and Maribor in Group D, Spartak can now expect to challenge for at least third place and direct entry into the Europa League’s Round of 32.

For CSKA, the minefield of possibilities was even tougher to navigate. Although they’ve been pitted against United, the Army Men should feel optimistic about taking points at home versus Benfica and Basel. CSKA has lost just two of its past 12 Champions League outings at the Arena Khimki.

Loser: Francesco Totti

The recipient of UEFA’s President Award, Francesco Totti was responsible for selecting the teams for the draw.

Unfortunately for the 40-year-old, he couldn’t bring former club Roma any luck.

The Giallorossi find themselves stuck in one of the proverbial groups of death with Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and faraway Qarabag. On a competitive level, it’s difficult, and even the patsy of the four, Azerbaijani club Qarabag, isn’t necessarily an easy go. Located more than 3,000 kilometres away from Rome, the Baku-based side could surprise Roma, which hasn’t won any of its past seven away matches in the Champions League.

Winner: Liverpool

Liverpool was rewarded for its evisceration of Hoffenheim in the previous play-off round, drawing Spartak, Sevilla, and Maribor. That’s a manageable group for the Anfield outfit, which last booked a ticket to the knockout round in 2009.

Success in the Champions League is vital this season. For the past few years, Liverpool has fought to reclaim its credentials as a top club and attractive destination for elite footballers. The Reds now have an opportunity to make a deep run in the sport’s most prestigious showcase event and boost revenue.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

As the balls were pulled from the pots at the draw for the Champions League’s group stage, 32 roads were constructed, one for each of the clubs competing in European football’s most prestigious tournament. Some were presented with a freeway, while others were given a pothole-filled path on the edge of a cliff.

As the clubs travel down their assigned roads, there will be no shortage of plot lines to follow. Tottenham Hotspur will invade two of Europe’s iconic stadiums in an attempt to improve on a group-stage exit, Juventus will face Barcelona in a rematch of the 2014-15 final, and Manchester United will experience a sense of deja vu.

Here are the five most intriguing storylines to emerge from the draw:

Tottenham’s second roll of the dice

The reigning champion, a German machine, and a Cypriot minnow that knows how to punch above its weight.

Tottenham was dealt the worst hand for its return to the Champions League, as they’re pitted with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and APOEL in the Group of Death, which boasts a combined UEFA coefficient that is higher than any other group. Given that the English club was unable to overcome the likes of AS Monaco, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and CSKA Moscow in 2016-17, and taking into account its horrendous record at Wembley Stadium, the frustration in north London is understandable.

It doesn’t get much more difficult that Tottenham’s group, but that isn’t stopping Harry Kane from staying positive, and it will be fascinating to see if Spurs can reach the knockout phase at the expense of a European behemoth.

Another round between Juventus, Barcelona

Juventus’ supporters can thank Francesco Totti, who pulled Barcelona’s name out of the pot, for reuniting the two clubs.

For the third time since 2015, Juventus will battle Barcelona in the Champions League. The Old Lady fell to the Blaugrana in the 2014-15 final, but carried out revenge in 2016-17, beating the Catalan club 3-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals by virtue of a defensive masterclass.

This time around, there will be no equalisers from Alvaro Morata, no stoppage-time goals from Neymar, and no brick walls built by Leonardo Bonucci. There will be no risk of elimination for the losing club barring a disastrous group-stage performance. Nonetheless, it will be nothing short of entertaining to see who gets the best of who.

Flashbacks for United

Did United receive another favourable draw? Yes. Yes, they did. But a glance at the 2011-12 Champions League should be enough to temper expectations.

Back then, United was drawn in the same group as SL Benfica, FC Basel 1893, and Otelul Galati in the 2011-12 Champions League’s group stage. It looked like the Red Devils would stroll into the knockout phase, but they came third – only finishing above the Romanian club – and were dumped into the Europa League, where further embarrassment awaited them.

Of course, it’s unlikely that United suffers the same fate, and the group they drew this year will be welcomed by a club that landed sixth in the Premier League last season.

A bumpy ride for Celtic

It’s never smooth sailing when it comes to Celtic and the Champions League, but the Hoops are in for one of their shakiest rides yet after being drawn next to Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and RSC Anderlecht.

European nights in Scotland are often referred to as magical, largely because of the atmosphere produced at Celtic Park when the Champions League rolls through Glasgow. Unfortunately, magic alone won’t be enough for the Bhoys. It will take everything in their power to take down Bayern and PSG, the latter of whom boasts the planet’s most expensive footballer.

Despite the difficult draw, Celtic will surely embrace the challenge.

Azerbaijani football’s group-stage debut

For the first time in history, a club from Azerbaijan will play in the Champions League’s group stage.

Qarabag FK, who defeated FC Copenhagen on away goals in the play-offs, will take the pitch alongside Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and AS Roma in a historic moment for Azerbaijani football. While not much will be expected from them – particularly given the tough draw they received – any favourable result they can manufacture will be celebrated in the country.

First up for Qarabag will be a continent-crossing trip to Stamford Bridge.

Barcelona had cash burning a hole in its proverbial pocket following Neymar’s forced departure to Paris Saint-Germain, and the Blaugrana finally dipped into those funds with the signing of Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund for a club-record €105-million fee plus add-ons.

Replacing Neymar is no easy (or cheap) task, as he ranks among the world’s best. But did Barcelona actually end up better off with Dembele?

At 20, Dembele is five years younger than Neymar and represents an even longer-term option for the club. His talent had Barcelona interested well before Neymar’s saga, such has been his meteoric rise to the upper echelons of world football. His first year with Dortmund accounted for only his second top-flight campaign, following his debut 2015-16 season with Rennes.

Dembele and Neymar share a few common traits, including a penchant for dribbling. Dembele completed 103 runs at Dortmund, more than any other player in the Bundesliga last season. He did so on both the right and left wings, and with tremendous speed, clocked at an average of 34.96 km/h. That’s ever so slightly faster than Neymar, who was timed at 34.83 km/h. Barcelona won’t experience any slow-down on the wing.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

While not nearly as prolific a goal-scorer, Dembele did find the back of the net 10 times last season, half of Neymar’s output at Barcelona in 2016-17. It helped make him the highest-scoring teenager in Europe’s top five leagues since August 2015. The young France international also led his team in chance creation, good for 63 attacking opportunities last season, to Neymar’s 127 (in 10 more matches).

Additionally, Dembele amassed 12 assists while at Dortmund, and his combination play with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ranked as the deadliest in the continent. Dembele combined with his strike partner for 10 assists last season, more than any other player providing for a single teammate in Europe’s top five leagues. It’s that ability that Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi will most relish.

Where the two differ is in their effectiveness at this current time. Neymar is easily among the top five players alive right now, which is a tier Dembele simply can’t count himself among just yet.

But the Frenchman is putting up numbers even Neymar didn’t reach at 20. Age plays a big part in comparing the two attackers, as Dembele offers Barcelona tremendous potential. And he’s on the right pace to become an unstoppable force … quite like Neymar is right now, actually.

As Michael Caley pointed out at FiveThirtyEight, the two men offer a similar attacking profile:

In terms of other potential replacements for Neymar, Dembele ranks only behind former Barcelona player Alexis Sanchez, PSG winger Angel Di Maria, and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale … and is at least five years younger than any other player who was considered. Dembele’s potential upside is massive, so much so that he might one day surpass Neymar entirely … and that day might not be too far off.

Besides Philippe Coutinho, no player other than Dembele could offer Barcelona this unique mix of talent, potential, long-term viability, and raw attacking output. In the end, the club might be better off entirely.