UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP B PREDICTIONS
With the UEFA Champions League starting in seven days, that would make now a good time to look at each group and see what we think will happen throughout the group stage. Today we are focusing on Group B (Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Borusia Monchengladbach, and Shakhtar Donetsk). Now that we have the four teams in Group B, here are my predictions on how I feel the group will end up being from bottom to top.
4.) Shakhtar Donetsk
The last time that Shakhtar Donetsk was in the Champions League last year, and they finished in third in their group. They were in the same group as Manchester City, and Atalanta which were two solid teams. Now for those who don’t know they play in the Premier Liga league which is the number one league in the Ukraine. This team has some potential to create an upset, but I see them finishing 1-1-4 in the table and will be last place in the group.
3.) Inter Milan
Look I love the additions that Inter Milan have made since last season. Bringing in Arturo Vidal, and Achraf Hakimi to solidfy that midfield. While getting back Ivan Perisic to add some talent on the wing to go with Lukaku and Martinez up front. Those moves mean that Inter should move onto to the round of 16 right? Well in my opinion that is the wrong answer. Inter played in a tough group last year and finished third in that group that had Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. Yes they have gotten better, but I think they still finish third in this group with a record of 1-2-3.
2.) Borussia Monchengladbach
This is one of my surprises of my Champions League predictions. Borussia Monchengladbach is back in the Champions league for the first time since the 2016-2017 campaign. They got a real tough draw as they were in the same group as Barcelona and Manchester City that year. This team looked great after the re start last year. I am very high on them to be my big time underdog to come out of the group stage. Monchengladbach has one of the best goaltenders in the Bundesliga in Yann Sommer and I think he is going to be big time for them in the group stage. I have Borussia Monchengladbach finishing 3-2-1 in the table and will be short of first place by goal differential.
1.) Real Madrid
Now Real Madrid is one of the biggest question marks that I have as we enter the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. Real Madrid didn’t make any moves to help add to this team that underperformed in the Champions League a season ago. They lost to Manchester City 4-2 in aggregate in the round of 16, and they didn’t look great throughout the group stage as well. Yes they won La Liga last year, but what can this team really do is the big question on everybody’s minds. Look for Madrid to struggle in the group stage as I see them finishing 3-2-1 just like Monchengladbach. I do think that they will have a higher goal differential and that is why they will finish a top of Group B.
Tune in tomorrow as I give you my predictions for Group C, and don’t forget to follow the Yellow Card Podcast on all social media.
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-Chris Jones (@cjoneswho1212)