Excitement for Liverpool, high hopes for Arsenal and Chelsea but some concerns after a tough draw for Manchester City... We take you through the Champions League draw.
Thursday 28 August 2014 18:17, UK
The draw for the Champions League group stage has thrown up a series of intriguing clashes for the 2014/15 competition. Here we take you through the details that matter and offer you the chance to give your verdict…
Best: Runners-up in 2006
Group D: Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray & Anderlecht
Verdict: For the third season in four, Arsenal are up against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Last year, it was Dortmund that topped the group ahead of the Gunners so results against Galatasaray and Anderlecht will need to be strong if Arsene Wenger is to extend his proud record of negotiating the opening group stage to a 15th season.
Sky Bet Odds: 22/1
Best: Winners in 2012
Group G: Schalke, Sporting & Maribor
Verdict: Chelsea qualified ahead of Schalke in last season’s Champions League group and will be confident of progressing again having been handed a manageable group. Jose Mourinho will return to his native Portugal to take on Sporting, while there is also a trip to Slovenia to take on Celtic’s conquerors NK Maribor.
Sky Bet Odds: 6/1
Record: Winners in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984 and 2005
Group B: Real Madrid, FC Basel & Ludogorets
Verdict: Liverpool supporters will surely be delighted with the draw upon the return to the European big time. Not only is there a showpiece game against holders Real Madrid, hopes will always be high of qualification with four games to look forward to against Swiss side Basel and Bulgarian newcomers Ludogorets.
Sky Bet Odds: 22/1
Best: Round of 16 in 2014
Group E: Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow & Roma
Verdict: There’s a familiar feel to the Champions League draw for Manchester City as they face Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow in the group stage for the second successive season. However, while Viktoria Plzen were the other team to deal with last time around, AS Roma should prove trickier opponents in this year’s competition. City must start strongly.
Sky Bet Odds: 14/1
Let us know your thoughts on the draw in the comments section below...