Predicting The Last 16 Of The Champions League 2014/15

Group H

Predicted Table: 1. FC Porto 2. Shakhtar Donetsk 3. Athletic Bilbao 4. BATE Borisov Group H is a relatively weak group across the board, with none of Europe€™s biggest teams featuring in these fixtures. FC Porto will head into the group as favourites, with the two times winners overcoming Lille in the final round of qualifying. Having last won the tournament in 2003/04, the Portuguese side now boast the next generation of South American stars in their ranks. Shakhtar Donetsk have won five consecutive domestic titles and have grown prolific at punishing teams on the counter-attack. With a host of Brazilians in their squad, including Bernard and Douglas Costa, the Ukrainian side should be pushing for a spot in the top two of the group. Athletic Bilbao, now housed in their impressive new San Mames stadium, earned their place in the group stages by beating Napoli over two legs in the final round of qualifying. That was a highly accomplished win and should give them confidence going into this round of fixtures. Following a 0-0 home draw against Shakhtar in their opening fixture, it seems these two teams will be battling it out for second. The Belarusian champions, BATE Borisov have qualified for the Champions League for the fourth time in seven seasons. They have failed to ever progress from the group stages and it won't happen this year either. They did beat Bayern Munich 3-1 in the season the Germans lifted the title in 2013, however after a 6-0 opening game defeat to FC Porto, it will be a long and painful group stage for BATE. Do you agree with these predictions? Or do you feel there will be other surprises? Either way, leave a comment below!