Group G
Predicted Table: 1. FC Porto 2. Atletico Madrid 3. Zenit 4. Austria Vienna
Portuguese Champions, FC Porto, once again enter the group stages as favourites to progress to the last 16. They have always performed well in the group stages and regularly make it to the last 16. However, this campaign sees them without Joao Moutinho and James Rodrigues who both left for
Monaco in a £60m move. Despite a the loss of key players, Porto maintain a strong squad and I would expect their form to continue into the group stages. Similarly, Atletico Madrid found form last season and should be pushing for a top two spot in the group stages. They will be without Falcao, however they acquired David Villa from Barcelona to fill the gap up front so shouldn't be short of goals! I cannot see Zenit posing much of a threat to the favourite two, with the Russian side
finishing third in their group last season. This group also sees Champions League débutantes Austria Vienna, a relatively unknown side, but one that should not trouble the class of FC Porto or Atletico Madrid. I've gone for Porto to pip Madrid to first, but only just!