UEFA Champions League - Group Stage Preview

The bookmakers' favorites to lift the trophy this May reside in Group F, with Manchester City highlighting this pot, the Citizens now have more expectations to call themselves European champions than ever. 

The remaining field has some definite sleepers to challenge the Premier League champs, making for another competitive array of matches, as teams 2-4 battle it out to join Pep's men in the final sixteen draw.

Odds To Win - Group F

Manchester City  -550 / 1.18 / 2/11
Olympique Lyonnais  +900 / 10.00 / 9/1
Hoffenheim  +1200 / 13.00 / 12/1
Shakhtar Donetsk  +1200 / 13.00 / 12/1

Group F - Preview

Manchester City have long been the doormats during Champions League competitions, often over matched and out coached against some of the better sides in Europe. The Citizens believe those days are now behind them and the time to collect a UEFA title has arrived.

Pep Guardiola is the main factor for the sudden optimism for the Manchester outfit. The Spaniard has instantly brought credibility to the classic underachievers, and has the betting world believing they sit in the best spot to finally run the table.

The Citizens will be without arguably their best all-around player in Kevin De Bruyne to start the contest. The skilled creator picked up a injury before the start of the domestic season, placing him on the shelf during the group stage process, but with a stable of world class depth, Pep should have plenty to guide his star-laced side past the first three contenders. 

Man City have also seen a change in formation with the absence of their Belgium playmaker, moving more to a 4-2-3-1 - 3-5-2 alignment in the early season, placing an added emphasis on Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mayrez, David Silva and Raheem Sterling to help fill the void left in the midfield.  

Pep's main trigger men are still in tact, with Gabriel Jesus and cities all time leading goal scorer Sergio "Kun" Agüero aligned atop the sky blues front-line. The deadly partnership have yet to truly click on the same page as of yet, and although each have scored goals when partnered together, I believe this duo still have more to offer, which is a scary proposition for their upcoming opponents. 

There are few weaknesses if any on this world-class squad, placing a early wager of +450 / 5.5 for them to capture the overall title would be a wise Investment. Many will be hesitant to back the Citizens based on their unsuccessful track record in this specific tournament, but this team seems to be in a different frame of mind, and should be at the very end of this seasons Champions League format. 

Lyon enter this contest as one of three French squads, who each have hopes of finally bringing the European title back to France. The "Kids" have long been a household name for those who follow the sport closely, with a rich history of success in the south of France, Lyon could be a sleeper team who sneak into the Round if 16 and make a surprising run from there. 

The French outfit are led by Bruno Génésio, who himself has had a nice run of success while with the club. Consistently qualifying for European competitions, the veteran manager is desperate to finally lead this proud side back to a UEFA title.

The Ligue One side have a plethora of starlets within their 25 man squad. Although they are often sellers of their best talent, the high flying side have retained many of their most coveted players in hopes of making an impact both domestically and while a part of the Champions League. 

Génésio has the ability to send out one of the more threatening front-lines in Europe, preferring a 4-2-3-1 alignment, with Memphis Depay taking the honors as the dedicated number nine in Lyon's attack. The Dutchman has always had a wealth of potential and the former Manchester United man has revitalized his career while apart of Lyon. He now has another opportunity to place his skills on display, as he once again looks to impress scouts from Europe's top clubs.

Nabil Fekir was on the doorstep of playing with Liverpool this season, but the France International was taken off the table this Summer in a late move that denied the Reds access to this soon-to-be star. Fekir is the true head of this snake, a creative play-maker who sets this offense into motion, his ability to find open space and place precise balls at the feet of his danger men is special, and his services will be fully needed for this team to be a true force. 

The contributions of Mariano and Bertrand Traoré should not be overlooked by their upcoming opponents. This tandem often fly under the radar, with their fellow front-line members grabbing the bulk of the headlines, but I see these two as the clear stars when the lights are the brightest, and should turn plenty of heads for those who are unfamiliar with their overall skill-sets.

Lyon must grab as many positive points on their own pitch as possible, as the Frenchmen have been known to have lack-luster performances during their travels. The Kids are still a solid option to follow Man City to the final sixteen and should entertain viewers with their elegant brand of football. 

Hoffenheim return for a second straight season to the 32 team field. After failing to ever qualify for Champions League play, the Germans have produced two consecutive seasons of a top three finish in the Bundesliga.

"Die Kraichgauer" enter the group having a true star on their sideline, with 31 year old Julian Nagelsmann taking the league and Europe by storm. His presence with the club has earned him plenty of praise throughout Europe, as he is one of the brightest up and coming managers in the footballing world.

Nagelsmann has worked miracles during his short tenure with the German side, after coming in at the end of 2016, he immediately saved Hoffenheim from certain relegation. The young German then produced a Champions League side in his first full season with the team, and despite the club selling off many of his best players, he has taken what he has to work with and produced a winning product on a consistent basis.

The Bundesliga side have had to locate a new tallys man within Nagelsmann's 4-3-3 formation and Ádám Szalai has stepped up and claimed that responsibility. The Hungarian International has already produced three goals in two domestic fixtures, proving that a system can be just as important as the players who take too the pitch.

Andrej Kramaric returned for another season under the boy-genius. The World Cup runner-up member was a key figure with Croatia this Summer, and has been a main stay apart of Hoffenheim's attack. Kramaric must still take his game to another level, his talents are apparent, but he can often disappear over the course of 90 minutes, Nagelsmann must continue to place his game changing midfielder, in the best positions too succeed. 

Hoffenheim play an aggressive style of play and their game-plan should fit well into this quartet, as I anticipate we will see plenty of goals in this group, and the Germans are well equipped to light up the score-board along the way.

Shakhtar Donetsk rounds out the group. The Ukraine giants are perennial players in the Champions League and collected a Round of 16 finish during their last campaign.

Paulo Fonseca has been in charge of the "Miners" since 2016, bringing his Portuguese flare to this powerful side while continuing Shakhtar's dominance on the domestic league.

The Ukrainian side are once again led by a influx of Brazilians, their trend of using South Americans to dominate their opponents, continues too be a winning formula. Moraes and Marlos are older than their normal crop of youngsters, but this splendid partnership have still produced at a high level. Already netting eleven goals in their first seven domestic matches, they give the remaining teams plenty of headaches to prepare for when they match up with this high-powered "Moles" side.

Shakhtar once again start this tournament getting little respect from the bookmakers, but they are a world class organization, who are fully capable of beating any of these squads over the next couple of months. The Ukraine outfit are especially tough on their own pitch, beating both Manchester City and Roma during their time in Europe last season. I expect this unit to once again get multiple positive results, making them a true dark-horse, to finish in the top two of the Group F table. 

Group F -  Prediction

Group F is much like Group E, where Manchester City are the overwhelming favorites to both top the table and advance through to the next round. There is little value in backing the Citizens at -550 / 1.18 too top the group, but placing a future wager for the Manchester Side to win the top prize in May seems to be the best value.

The remaining group is full of value, with teams 2-4 all highly capable of going on a impressive group stage run. Lyon would seem the most likeliest of candidates to progress, but the Frenchmen have been inconsistent at best to start their new season. They can be a difficult team to handicap on a routine basis, as they seem to play down to the level of their competition, more times than Investors would like to see.

Hoffenheim were humbled last season over two legs by a determined Liverpool side and should be motivated too have a better showing, although there may be a slight distraction with Julian Nagelsmann agreeing to leave the club at the end of the season. I still believe this team will give their fellow opponents troubles, as they match up very well in this specific pot, but their overall lack of depth and talent could prove to be their ultimate downfall.

Shakhtar Donetsk must be respected in this group, the Ukraines have familiarized themselves with UEFA tournaments over the years, and will not be overwhelmed by stepping up in class. The Miners will be most challenged when they take to the road, if they can get positive results away from home, I will not be surprised to see this well constructed side return for another run in the Round of 16.