UEFA Champions League - Group Stage Preview

The Champions League draw continues to serve up tasty match-ups, with Group B containing four clubs who all have long histories of high level success. This should be one of the more competitive pots in the field of eight groups. 

Odds To Win - Group B

Barcelona FC  -215 / 1.47 / 20/43

Tottenham  +300 / 4.0 / 3/1

Inter Milan  +600 / 7.0 / 6/1

PSV Eindhoven  +3500 / 45.00 / 35/1

Group B

Barcelona highlight the group and after the Blaugrana were abruptly removed from the Quarter Finals last season, the Spanish giants should be highly motivated to make a championship run in the 2018-2019 version.

Barca are now in the second year of the Ernesto Valverde project. The Spaniard had a highly successful campaign in his first year with the club, capturing League and the Copa del Rey trophies, but after flaming out in the Champions League, he will still be measured on how well he does in Europe competitions. 

The pied piper of the squad is still in tact, with Lionel Messi the center-piece of the team. The Argentine seems to be getting better with age, although he has not had the International success he would have liked, Messi has flourished domestically, winning several Domestic and Champions League titles. 

The Catalans reinforced their squad over the summer. After bringing in former Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho in the Winter transfer window, Barcelona also added additional Brazilian starlets Malcolm and Arthur to help fill the void left by Andres Ineista, who left to ride off in the sunset in Japan after a stellar career with the Spaniard's.

Barcelona have transformed more to a 4-3-3 formation to start the new campaign with young French-man Ousmane Dembélé partnering with Messi and Luis Suarez atop a star-studded front-line, this trio are certain to light up La Liga and the Champions League. With so much skill moving forward in attack their talents will be undeniable even for the casual viewer.

The Blaugrana not only demand respect in the Group format, but placing a future investment on them to capture the overall title at +600 / 7.0 / 6/1 is not a wasteful play. This unit seems to be playing on a different level than their fellow Spanish opponents and with the motivation of a embarrassing departure last season, I fully expect them to be at the very end of UEFA's top tournament.

Tottenham return to the Champions League for a third straight season. After a magical Round of 16 run last year, Spurs feel like they are prepared to take that next step, and finally challenge for European glory.

Mauricio Pochettino has had a highly successful spell while in North London but the impressive manager has failed to collect any trophies during his tenure with the club. The Argentine seems like he is on the door-step of making a breakthrough, rather it be domestically, or on European soil. 

The Londoners return the bulk of their 2017-2018 squad. With no new signings in the Summer transfer window, Spurs feel they are best suited to tackle both fronts with their returning players in-house. Pochettino does have the luxury of world-class participants within his team, hoping their overall experiences during the past few seasons will begin to pay dividends. 

Golden Boot winner Harry Kane will garner much of the attention. As Spurs take to the pitch, the talented center-forward has been on a goal scoring tear, placing the ball in the back of the net both domestically and on the International stage. Kane should welcome the goal scoring responsibilities once again, as he has no real weaknesses in front of goal. 

The Three Lions striker has been partnered with former PSG man Lucas Moura this season. The pacey Brazilian was brought in over the Winter in a strategic move to offer additional threats in the final third of the pitch. Aligned within Tottenham's 3-5-2 shape, he has already solidified his spot in the starting eleven each week. 

Spurs have also become a terrific unit on the back-end, with World Cup winning GK - Hugo Lloris placed in charge of guarding the Londoner's net. Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sánchez and Jan Vertonghen have formed a protective barrier on the backline, as their overall experience in playing with one another is a true strength for the Londoners.

Tottenham start the group stage as the clear favorites to join Barcelona. And, with their overall experiences in playing with one another for so many years, this club feels like they are finally ready to challenge for an elusive Champions League trophy. 

Inter Milan make their way back to the Champions League. After several years of instability within the club, the Italian giants are back where the rightfully deserve too be.

Luciano Spalletti has transformed the 'I Nerazzurri'. After leading Roma to the Champions League draw a season before, the Italian manager went too work, guiding the Black and Blues too a top three finish in Serie A.  

Spaletti has the benefit of a world-class striker Mauro Icardi leading the charge. The Argentine has set Serie A on fire and will now get too showcase his goal scoring abilities in front of the entire footballing world.

Fellow front-line member Ivan Perišić returned from Russia full of confidence, as the Croatian winger was instrumental in helping lead his Country to the World Cup finals. Now his contributions will be called upon once again, as he is truly needed in order to help carry his domestic side to the European promise land.  

Inter are in favor of a 4-2-3-1 alignment, with Belgium play-maker Radja Nainggolan placed in charge of carrying out Spaletti's orders. The €38 million man has a knack for coming up with big performances when needed the most. Do not be surprised to see Nainggolan produce another moment of genius for the 'La Beneamata' after it's all said and done. 

Inter Milan are no strangers to European success and, with the San Siro as their back-drop, the grand stadium should be rocking with enthusiasm, helping lift this highly successful club to a positive result. Inter have the ability to make some noise in this quartet, but their inconsistency is worry-some. I have no doubts the Italians will perform well on their own patch, but once they take to the road is where they must perform at a high level, if they having any hopes of progressing out of Group B.

PSV battled their way into this years draw, taking down BATE Borisov in a playoff format. The Dutch men feel they are fully capable of representing Group B in the Round of 16.

The 'Peasants' are no strangers to European competitions. Now led by Mark van Bommel, who himself has had great success during this particular event, they feel they have the right leadership in order to steer them through this difficult obstacle. 

The defending Eredivisie champions are led by Mexican International Hirving "Chucky" Lozano, who is primed to make a huge impact on this massive stage. Lozano starred in Mexico's Round of 16 run in the World Cup. Now he has all the largest clubs in Europe salivating for his services and should continue to grow his star each time he steps onto the pitch. 

The Red and Whites have been rewarded within their productive 4-2-3-1 formation. With Luuk de Jong placed in the dedicated number nine role, Gastón Pereiro has stepped up as the engine that makes this PSV engine run. The Dutch side is full of skillful players on the front-line with Pereiro running the show and they have gelled into one of the more in-formed sides in Europe.

PSV will make life difficult on their opponents, hoping they are underestimated, this squad should be especially dangerous in front of their loyal supporters. Do not be surprised to see the Farmers picking up positive results while at the the Philips Stadion, which can truly be a fortress for the beloved home team.

Group B - Prediction

Backing Barcelona to top this Group seems like one of the more obvious plays of the season, although anything can happen within these tournaments. Barca seem likely to have a 100% record at the Camp Nou, while being highly productive during their travels.

Predicting the second place finisher may be a little bit more complicated. Tottenham should grab the second place spot in Group B, with a stable of experienced players starving for further accomplishments, Spurs seem the most likely to follow Barcelona too the Round of 16.

Inter Milan will give Tottenham a true run for their money, as the Italians are led by a wonderful tactician, who has had high levels of success at many of his stops along the way. Now getting this side to give their maximum effort, and a high-level of attention on each outing, will be his main objective.

PSV get great value to progress and even though they do not play in the major divisions of European football, they produce top notch teams year in, and year out. Do not be surprised to see the Dutch-men contending to progress out of the group, as they will make matters complicated for both Tottenham and Inter Milan, who will be their major forms of competition.