Champions League Draw for 2008-09

The group draw for the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League is out and some big matchups loom.  Groups D & F look to be very difficult while Chelsea and Manchester United have to like their draws.  Opening games will be played September 16-17th.

Group A -
Chelsea, AS Roma, Bordeaux, CFR 1907 Cluj

Chelsea and Roma are clear favorites here with Bordeaux hoping to make a splash. Romanian side CFR 1907 Cluj hopes to survive and be competetive at home.

Group B -
Inter, Werder Bremen, Panathinaikos, Anorthosis Famagusta

Inter and Werder Bremen look to go through, but dont count out the Greeks as Panathinaikos has giant killer aspirations.

Group C -
Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, FC Basel, Shaktar Donetsk

Barcelona should go through safely.  Sporting are slight favorites but Shaktar will be a very difficult trip and they could slip through if they take their home matches.

Group D -
Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Atletico Madrid

By far the toughest group as all four sides have possibilities.  Won't be an easy match in the whole stage.

Group E -
Manchester United, Villareal, Celtic, Aalborg BK

The highlight of this group will be between Villareal and Celtic and the fight for 2nd.  Man U should progress, but the Scots could slip by for 2nd.

Group F -
Olympique Lyonnais, Bayern Munich, Steau Bucharest, Fiorentina

Another difficult group as all four could be factors.

Group G -
Arsenal, Porto, Fenerbache, Dynamo Kiev

Arsenal can't like this draw as daunting trips to Fenerbache (Turkey) and a winter trip to Kiev (Russia) loom.

Group H -
Real Madrid, Juventus, Zenit St Petersburg, BATE Borisov

Clear favorites Real and Juve should progress.