Group G:
The Teams
Chelsea – 1st place in 2014-15 English Premier League – Currently 17th in 2015-16 season
Dynamo Kyiv – 1st place in 2014-15 Ukrainian Premier League – Currently 1st in the 2015-16 season
FC Porto – 2nd place in 2014-15 Premeria Liga – Currently 1st in the 2015-16 season
Maccabi Tel-Aviv – 1st place in 2014-15 Israeli Winner League – Currently 2nd in the 2015-16 season
Best player in the group – Eden Hazard, Chelsea
While Hazard hasn’t gotten off the best of starts for Chelsea in EPL play, the reality is that no one for the Blues have played well. Still, Hazard is one of the most criminally underrated and most important players in world soccer today. He’s won the PFA Young Player of the Year award (2013-14) and PFA Player of the Year Award (2014-15), and outside of a few players on the Porto squad stands head and shoulders above anyone on any roster. The Belgian attacking midfielder is too good not to get it going, and when he does it could spell trouble for this group.
Most important matchup – FC Porto’s attack vs. Dynamo Kyiv’s defense
There is little doubt that Chelsea have the quality on paper to run this group, and if that holds out it means we’re likely to see a battle between Porto and Dynamo Kyiv for the second spot in the round of 16. Porto are a great attacking side, but Kyiv have strength in the back line, and that makes this matchup so intriguing. Whichever side’s strength gives in look for it to be the loser and ultimately see itself falling in to the Europa League.
X-factor — Chelsea’s Form
Simply put, Chelsea have been awful to start the EPL season, and one has to wonder if they begin pressing for positive results even in another competition. A loss or two in the early part of the Champions League, coupled with a seat just outside of the relegation places in England could really end the Jose Mourinho era. Let’s see what happens with Chelsea’s form as they take on a different level of competition, but right now this group is pressing and that’s not good news.
Group prediction
1st – Chelsea
2nd – FC Porto
3rd – Dynamo Kyiv
4th – Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Group H:
The Teams
KAA Gent – Won Belgian Juliper League Playoff – Currently 4th in 2015-16 season
Lyon – 2nd place in 2014-15 Ligue 1. – Currently 6th in the 2015-16 season
Valencia – 4th in 2014-15 La Liga – Currently 8th in the 2015-16 season
Zenit St. Petersburg – 1st place in 2014-15 Russian Premier League – Currently 3rd in the 2015-16 season
Best player in the group –Hulk, Zenit St. Petersburg
The Brazilian international is one of the best players in the world, but few know it or see it unless he’s putting on the national team shirt of Brazil. However, Hulk has been a stalwart in the Russian Premier League for some time now. In a group that’s about as wide open as any in the Champions League, he could be the one player that can carry his team to the round of 16.
Most important matchup – Valencia vs. Lyon
Both squads are off to less-than-stellar starts to their respective league seasons, but is it because their focus has turned towards getting out of the group stage of the Champions League or because their form as really fallen off? The two matches between these sides are going to be vital to the pecking order of this group, so circle matchday 2 and the final matchday of the group stage. This group is likely coming down to the final day.
X-factor — Gent’s Away Form
This is a group of giants, yet Gent may be the biggest mystery and could provide the biggest surprise of the entire group stage. I love the roster they put together and the squad has a great mix of experience and its home advantage should be pretty interesting. However, if this side is going to compete with the rest of the group, it needs to compete at the same level it does at home, on the road. There’s simply no way Gent plays spoiler if it can’t get at least one result on the road.
Group prediction
1st – Zenit St. Petersburg
2nd – Valencia
3rd – Lyon
4th – KAA Gent
