As we all gathered around the telly to see which clubs would face each other in the 2008-2009 edition of the UEFA Champions League group stage, it would have been understandable if we were a bit apprehensive at the outset.

The top seeds are the top seeds and deservingly so, but I am sure there were many of us who were crossing our fingers after seeing juggernauts Bayern Munich and Juventus listed in pot 2, Scottish champions Celtic as well as UEFA Cup champions Zenit listed in pot 3 and talented sides such as Athletico Madrid and Fiorentina positioned in pot 4.

It was as if every pot had a trap set…waiting. It must have seemed so ominous. Of course you already knew how everything would unfold:

1. Your team would be drawn into the infamous “Group of Death” (like it always is year after year)

2. You would swear to the high heavens that FIFA had rigged the draw again.

3. Your most hated team would get an unbelievably easy group, thereby confirming point 2 above.

****   you FIFA! You've gone and done it again!

For once we were all wrong. This is probably the first time that I find myself unable to unequivocally predict the top two finishers from each group. Of course I am not always correct, but I base my guesses on sound evidence and at the end of the day I am usually confident about my choices. The evidence this time around suggests that anything can happen. Teams such as Athletico and Zenit (with Arshavin) are capable of crushing any opposition on their day. Keep in mind that neither Athletico nor Zenit was even in the top half of the draw.

Apart from group C with FC Barcelona and maybe group B with Italian giants Inter Milan, all the groups appear to be genuinely challenging at first glance. Let us not be hasty to judge the Barca and Inter fans though, they have had to put up with the European dominance of Real Madrid and AC Milan (lol) respectively for ages. Having been thrashed by their fiercest domestic rivals all across European football history, they have enough pressure as it is.

Liverpool fans must be feeling a bit queasy after just witnessing their team produce two insipid performances against the “mighty” Standard Liege. With the Scousers to face three quality teams in Athletico, Marseille and PSV, there is the possibility of an upset. However those of us who have been following Liverpool for the past few seasons already know that cups are the only thing Liverpool ever manages to compete for. They will get to the knockout rounds one way or the other. There is simply too much experience and professionalism in their team.

Manchester United fans like me are still on a high after our victory over Chelsea last season. Yes, we are still telling all the Terry jokes.

Immovable Object - Chelsea captain John Terry

However, it is important to mention that no team has ever successfully defended the Champions League title. Plus with our best player already thinking he is a part of the Real Madrid squad I think the odds are against us this year. For United to repeat last season’s success we need to keep key players fit. This of course will never happen. Rooney will break his metatarsal bone as usual, Ronaldo is already injured and Saha is…well….Saha. There is simply no way United will win the Champions League again unless we strengthen the strikeforce.

Tottenham Hotspurs will have a strong influence on the destination of the Champions League title this year. The reasoning is a bit convoluted but it does make sense. If Zenit keeps Arshavin I think one of Real Madrid or Juventus will get knocked out at the group stage. If Zenit sells Arshavin to Tottenham then both Real Madrid and Juventus will progress. Incidentally, if Tottenham sign Arshavin then this will pave the way for Man United to sign Berbatov, thereby strengthening the United strikeforce. With Berbatov in the ranks, United will be hot favorites for a repeat. United could then afford to bench Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo, should they encounter Los Merengues in the knockout rounds.

The Arsenal team needs some more experience before they can lift the title. They play with class but the team lacks steel in the middle of the park. Nevertheless, they should be able to successfully navigate the group stages.

Bayern Munich is a real threat. Strong from back to front, the team is very experienced and is loaded with matchwinners. They will have a point to prove after failing to qualify for the Champions League last season. Their only weakness is arguably Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg, who crushed them 5-1 on aggregate on their way to lifting the UEFA Cup last season.

Bayern Munich - Property of Zenit St. Petersburg

Chelsea are my favorites for the title. After the heartache last season I am sure the players will be determined to go all the way this time around. Their team depth is incredible and as long as they do not have any dressing room bust ups they should be able to go far in the competition. Real Madrid, Juventus, Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern, Inter and Man United are also capable of winning it all.

Winning the Champions League requires a lot of foresight. It would be prudent that Mr. Abramovich discourages Russian champions Zenit from selling Arshavin to Tottenham or Fergie might just be smiling again come May.

Won it in Chelsea's backyard!

FULL DRAW

Group A
Chelsea
Roma
Bordeaux
CFR Cluj

Group B
Inter Milan
Werder Bremen
Panathinaikos
Anorthosis Famagusta

Group C
Barcelona
Sporting Lisbon
Basel
Shakhtar Donetsk

Group D
Liverpool
PSV Eindhoven
Marseille
Atletico Madrid

Group E
Man Utd
Villarreal
Celtic
Aalborg

Group F
Lyon
Bayern Munich
Steaua Bucharest
Fiorentina

Group G
Arsenal
Porto
Fenerbahce
Dynamo Kiev

Group H
Real Madrid
Juventus
Zenit St Petersburg
Bate Borisov

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