UCL Predictions: Groups A and B

After Tuesday’s Champions League action, groups A to D kick things off on Wednesday night in the first round of the 2022/23 UCL season. As the action unfolds, we predict the standings of groups A and B in the group stages.

Also read: UCL Predictions: Groups C and D

GROUP A

Ajax, Liverpool, Napoli, Rangers

Dutch giants Ajax come into the Champions League group stages in fine form winning all their games so far in the Eredivisie. New signings Steven Bergwijn (6 goals), and Calvin Bassey (3 clean sheets) have hit the ground running. However, the departures of quality players in Lisandro Martinez and Antony will have impacted Ajax as they could face stiff competition from Napoli to finish in the top 2.

Meanwhile, last season’s losing finalists Liverpool will look to emulate their 2018/19 CL winning season when they exorcised the ghosts of finishing runners-up the previous season to clinch their 6th Champions League title. With just 1 win all season in the PL, Liverpool have struggled to deal with Sadio Mane’s departure. But they will look to put their domestic woes behind them as they start group A as favourites.

The group has another dark horse in Napoli who return to the UCL for the first time since the 2019/20 season. The Italian club will have a tough battle on their hands as they will want to steer clear of the Europa League again by finishing in the top 2. Luciano Spaletti’s men are unbeaten in Serie A, but they will have their hands full in a difficult group that has teams with illustrious history in the CL.

Rangers make their return to the CL after more than a decade. The Scottish giants secured a place in this season’s campaign through the playoffs. Their run until the finals of last season’s Europa League shows they are a pedigreed side, however UCL football will a different ball game for the Glaswegian club. Rangers will hope to cause an upset or two and revel in their return, but qualifying for the knockouts may be a step too far at the moment.

Final Predictions:

1. Liverpool

2. Napoli

3. Ajax

4. Rangers

GROUP B

FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Club Brugge

Porto were beaten to 2nd place by Atletico Madrid in last season’s UCL group stage where they fell short by 2 points. Clubbed in the same group again, the 2-time Champions League winners will want to get the better of Atleti this time. But Sérgio Conceição’s men will also have to be wary of other teams in the hunt in what could be a very open group.

Atletico Madrid have had a shaky start to their La Liga season, winning just 1 game in 4. Quarter-finalists last season, Atletico have struggled for goals this campaign with Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann their only goalscorers so far with 5 goals combined. But in a group where they start as favourites, Diego Simeone will hope that his side can go finally go the distance in this competition.

Over in Germany, Leverkusen have had a tough start to their season as they sit 14th in the Bundesliga. With 4 losses in 5 games, manager Gerardo Seoane is under pressure as his injury-plagued side have struggled for results. Back in the UCL after the 2019/20 season, Leverkusen will want to set things right and showcase their league from last season as 2nd place could be up for grabs.

Belgian outfit Club Brugge will have their task cut out as they look to make it past the group stages for the time in 4 decades. But the loss of the talented midfielder Charles De Ketelaere to Milan will have weakened them. Finalists in 1978, they can seek inspiration from their once illustrious past, but it would take a miracle for them to replicate anything of that sort just to not finish bottom of the group.

Final Predictions:

1. Atletico Madrid

2. FC Porto

3. Bayer Leverkusen

4. Club Brugge

Also read: UCL Predictions: Group E and F