UEFA Champions League Group Analysis: Who Will Progress?

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the season, the top clubs in Europe go head-to-head in a bid to win the most iconic and important trophy in domestic football. 

Here, we will assess each group and pick our favourites to go through following an epic Matchday One.

Group A

It’s advantage Bayern Munich over Manchester United after they defeated the Red Devils 4-3 at the Allianz Arena. The two giants are the overwhelming favourites (1/3 and 11/4 respecitvely) to go through with Galatasaray and Copenhagen, who drew 2-2, expected to battle it out for a spot in the Europa League by finishing third in the standings.

Group B

Arsenal spent the first 17 years of the 21st century playing in Europe’s premier competition but had to settle for the Europa League since 2017. However, on their return to the Champions League this season, the Gunners have been handed a kind draw and took full advantage with a resounding 4-0 victory over PSV. Lens and Sevilla played out a 1-1, but it's the Spaniards many bookmakers on a 

 tip to make it to the last 16 with Arsenal.

Group C

Braga of Portugal have a tough test trying to get the better of Champions League royalty Real Madrid and Napoli who won Serie A for the first time in 33 years last season. Then there is Union Berlin who have taken the Bundesliga by storm after reaching Germany’s top division for the first time since 2019.

Real are of course expected to progress, at odds of around 1/2, with Napoli joining them but defeating Union is far from a given while Braga themselves can be a difficult opponent on their day.

Group D

RB Salzburg lead the way after defeating Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, but this is a really intriguing group with Inter the favourites (around 10/11) and Real Sociedad more than capable having finished fourth in La Liga last season.

Sociedad are the least experienced with the other three clubs all European regulars, but it’s a tough group to call and home form could be the determining factor here. 

Group E

Feyenoord, Celtic and Lazio look like a rundown of UEFA Cup teams in the 1990s, but all three sides deserve their Champions League place where Atlético Madrid are strong favourites.

Saying that, however, Group E has already seen plenty of drama after one Matchday, with Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel scoring an epic 95th-minute equaliser against Diego Simeone’s side. Fayenoord and Lazio have similar odds to win the group according to many bookies, while Celtic are seen as relative outsiders.

Group F

Dubbed the Group of Death by many observers, Group F looks fascinating. Newcastle’s gift for making a Champions League return after a 20-year absence was to be drawn alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Milan.

However, 

 passed their first test, earning a goalless draw at the San Siro. PSG got the upper hand on the opening day, defeating BVB 2-0, but this is a fascinating group. Europa League teams beware: one of this quartet will be joining you.

Group G

Champions Manchester City began the defence of their crown with a 3-1 win over Crvena Zvezda, while RB Leipzig defeated Young Boys of Switzerland by the same scoreline. City are expected to top the group (with odds of around 1/10), with Leipzig second and any other outcome would prove a shock as the other two teams have odds of 100/1 to win the group.

Group H

Royal Antwerp had a rough start to their maiden Champions League campaign, heading to the Nou Camp to face Barcelona. The Belgians were beaten 5-0, and they’ll be hoping to fare better on 

 against Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk.

While the Spanish giants are favourites to go through, Porto should have enough to join them in the next round.