2023-24 UEFA Champions League predictions: Winners, runners-up, Golden Boot, unhappy horse, best participant and extra

The UEFA Champions League is once more with a bang as Matchday 1 takes self-discipline in the end of Tuesday and Wednesday with some large matchups. Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United highlights the week’s slate whereas all 32 groups are in circulation as we return to a extra smartly-liked UCL schedule following the affect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the midseason 2022 World Cup. As constantly, that you just simply could per probability per probability properly per probability furthermore look all of the Champions League circulation on Paramount+ . 

However who will uncover each group, who will uncover all of it and which sides could per probability be the unhappy horses or disappointments? Proper here is what to seize, our physique of employees predictions and extra:

UCL 2023-24 groups

• Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
• Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven and Lens.
• Group C: Napoli, Legitimate Madrid, SC Braga and Union Berlin.
• Group D: Benfica, Inter, Pink Bull Salzburg and Legitimate Sociedad.
• Group E: Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Celtic.
• Group F: Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Milan and Newcastle United.
• Group G: Manchester Metropolis, RB Leipzig, Pink Star Belgrade and Younger Boys.
• Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp.

Matchday 1 TV schedule

All occasions Jap

Group A picks

Prognosis: On paper, this seems to be like simple for each Bayern Munich and Manchester United which is why it will be counterfeit as to each groups’ complete prospects of glory. The German giants private a 100% file domestically within the counsel time nonetheless are delicate adapting to having recent megastar Harry Kane main the motorway whereas Erik ten Hag’s males private been slack to accumulate getting into the Premier League and already misplaced towards Arsenal and Kane’s used membership Tottenham Hotspur. Galatasaray and Copenhagen will now not precisely strike apprehension into each Bayern or United and both aspect can quiz to method, nonetheless Thomas Tuchel has appreciable work to assemble to show the Bundesliga giants into continental opponents. The Turks could per probability per probability properly furthermore merely delicate compile third house and impress difficult away day opponents nonetheless the comfort somewhat than the Germans and the Pink Devils going by way of could be a shock. — Jonathan Johnson

Group B picks

Prognosis: As a minimum these years of prepared to return once more to Champions League soccer Arsenal purchase themselves landed with a group that… neatly… it is very Europa League-y, is now not it? PSV and Lens could per probability per probability properly furthermore each private beloved appreciable home seasons in 2022-23 nonetheless each head into the recent season shorn of their stars, the dual monetary juggernauts of the Premier League and Saudi Arabia robbing the used of Ibrahima Sangare, the latter of Seko Fofana. Forward skill has additionally departed within the invent of Xavi Simons and Lois Openda and although replacements private been sourced there could per probability be hardly ever on a regular basis any convey that these could per probability be the similar forces on the biggest stage. The early indications are, nevertheless, spectacular for Dutch runners-up PSV, who overwhelmed Rangers on their system to the group phases.

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The similar can now not be stated of Sevilla, who staggered into their recent season with three defeats of their first three La Liga video games. Jose Luis Mendilibar could per probability per probability properly furthermore private shepherded the Andalusians away from relegation remaining season nonetheless in the end of their squad, they’ve the look of a midtable facet who could per probability per probability properly furthermore purchase fortunate in a cup opponents. These could per probability per probability properly furthermore merely now not be the starry opponents Arsenal dreamed of on their extended system once more to the top nonetheless on the shining facet, proper here is a group that seems to be like tailormade for them to compile high house and per probability to assemble so snappy, aiding the fight with Manchester Metropolis in the end of loads of fronts. — James Benge

Group C picks

Prognosis: Having a study this group earlier than the circulation begins, it seems to be like savor a ravishing simple one to predict, with Legitimate Madrid and Napoli anticipated to qualify for the spherical of 16, whereas Braga and Union Berlin will fight for the Europa League house. Nonetheless, many points modified within the summertime for the Italian staff, and irrespective of profitable the 2022-23 Scudetto, their coach Luciano Spalletti left with used Al-Nassr boss Rudi Garcia altering him. Napoli additionally provided defender Kim Min-Jae to Bayern Munich nonetheless saved the other stars of the staff, Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Legitimate Madrid could per probability per probability properly furthermore merely delicate high the group, with Napoli to place collectively, nonetheless Braga and Union Berlin confirmed to be precise groups within the earlier years and is per probability now not underestimated. — Francesco Porzio

Group D picks

Prognosis: Inter and Benfica already confronted each other within the earlier season, when the Italian staff managed to accumulate by way of the quarterfinals after profitable 2-0 in Portugal after which drawing 3-3 at dwelling. Many points modified since that bump into, with the Nerazzurri that provided avid avid gamers savor Andre Onana and Marcelo Brozovic within the summertime and in addition misplaced key avid avid gamers savor Romelu Lukaku and Edin Dzeko. Irrespective of that, the 2022-23 finalists are anticipated to high the group with Benfica to place collectively. Legitimate Sociedad and RB Salzburg are anticipated to fight for an enviornment within the UEFA Europa League, nonetheless it might per probability per probability per probability properly furthermore now not be stunning to mark one factor stunning coming from this group. — Francesco Porzio

Group E picks

Prognosis: An animated mixture of groups on this one with Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Celtic is positively one for those who take pleasure in an away day at iconic soccer European venues with atmospheres to match. Arguably a ravishing even group between at least three of those names, Atleti’s recent struggles counsel that they might per probability per probability properly furthermore merely net a meal out of this in the event that they labor towards the likes of the Dutch and Italians. Diego Simeone’s facet could per probability per probability properly furthermore merely delicate, on paper, high this group, nonetheless Feyenoord are rediscovering their continental pedigree from yesteryear and Maurizio Sarri’s facet are an underrated drive in Serie A. Celtic are the wildcard and private Brendan Rodgers once more on the helm and is often aiming to diagram shut in for third self-discipline so quiz opponents to be as fierce on the self-discipline as this may occasionally per probability be off it from the primary recreation. — Jonathan Johnson

Group F picks

Prognosis: And never utilizing an actual “group of dying” this season, PSG touchdown Borussia Dortmund, Milan and Newcastle United has been awarded that honor. The French champions could per probability per probability properly furthermore merely delicate uncover the group fastened with their squad which has gone by way of a main overhaul and seems to be like appreciable extra balanced complete, nonetheless the Italian facet and the Premier League outfit are difficult opponents. Saudi-backed Newcastle, in express, is a story-rich recreation for the Qatari-owned membership which u.s. of americathe stakes a superb deal ahead of these two video games. Dortmund, nevertheless, are now not in probably probably the most environment friendly of invent so a great distance this season and might indubitably battle in what seems to be wish to be a terribly difficult group for them. PSG and Milan are arguably the early favorites to method and Newcastle’s early season invent has carried out nothing to dispel that this will furthermore merely neatly be a studying notify for Eddie Howe’s males who could per probability per probability properly furthermore discontinuance up specializing in third house for an extended European flee. — Jonathan Johnson

Group G picks

Prognosis: Any group containing Metropolis already offers a forgone conclusion on who will uncover it nonetheless RB Lepzig cannot be counted out. A staff that’s unsleeping of Metropolis in Champions League and convalescing by the day, they’re going to net points nearer than anticipated by the closing day due to the Dani Olmo, Xavi Simons and Lois Openda. Leipzig can acquire goals with probably probably the most environment friendly of groups nonetheless their largest converse shall be stopping Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez from scoring goals at will. Irrespective of the clear high two, there are different groups on this group along with one among the hardest away journeys within the enviornment to Crvena zvezda in Serbia. If a staff is now not centered, they’re going to fall components there which can per probability per probability properly furthermore resolve if it is them or Younger Boys who head to Europa League.  — Chuck Gross sales self-discipline

Group H picks

Prognosis: This group is Barcelona’s to lose after receiving a path diagram, and stable begins for the likes of Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski in La Liga final bolsters their case. If somebody is to present the Spanish champions a flee for his or her cash, it will be Porto with ahead Mehdi Taremi in goalscoring invent, nonetheless they proceed to be the favorites for second self-discipline. Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp are the seemingly contenders to duke it out for a third-self-discipline house that will per probability per probability properly compile a berth within the Europa League knockouts, nonetheless the Belgian facet will assemble so with out a key participant. American defender Sam Vines modified into unintentionally left off the Champions League squad by way of an administrative error. — Pardeep Cattry

UCL superlatives

Champions choose

Benge: It’s miles additionally exhausting for European champions to repeat, all of the extra so after they have a submit-treble comedown to diagram shut into fable, nonetheless Metropolis are delicate by a great distance and away probably probably the most environment friendly staff on the continent. Haaland will earn the headlines nonetheless probably probably the most environment friendly variations of Pep Guardiola’s groups private elite-stage defenses; the early indications are that that’s exactly what’s coalescing on the Etihad Stadium this season. That may seemingly be the obligatory swing aspect as a result of in swapping Ilkay Gundogan for Mateo Kovacic they’ve sacrificed pictures for somewhat extra protect a watch on, the variability of high quality that made them the evident favorites for the Champions League until their archaic meltdown. Yet one more of these seems to be like reasonably credible nonetheless they’re delicate the per probability champions in an underwhelming self-discipline. Resolve: Manchester Metropolis.

Gross sales self-discipline: When determining who probably probably the most staff in Champions League play, it is inconceivable to dash any longer than the reigning champions in Metropolis. Each different staff has a weak point that may even be exploited whereas the suitable staff that may stop Metropolis is themselves. Even should you might be in a self-discipline to stop Haaland, Julian Alvarez is taking a step ahead in his occupation to change right into a stronger attacking drive and along with Josko Gvardiol to the protection turns them into somewhat extra of a fortress. Resolve: Manchester Metropolis

Cattry: Manchester Metropolis are now not the suitable staff that boast the chance of working rampant this season. Legitimate Madrid enter the Champions League with a youthful nonetheless skilled staff, severely in midfield and assault the place Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius Junior are budding superstars. The standout at this early stage of the season, although, is recent signing Jude Bellingham – the 20-three hundred and sixty 5 days-worn is already off to a dream start in Spain, and could be probably probably the most vital to creating certain his facet makes a deep flee in Europe this season. Resolve: Legitimate Madrid

Johnson: It’s at the moment difficult to mark Metropolis’s home and European domination now not persevering with. A merely begin to the season allied with a simple group stage for the defending champions bodes neatly ahead of the enterprise half of the marketing campaign. Irrespective of some key departures, Pep Guardiola’s males delicate look very stable in the end of the board and their recent setup relies upon much less on Haaland scoring opponents into submission. As a minimum, quiz Metropolis to net a deep flee — very per probability to a closing on dwelling soil. Resolve: Manchester Metropolis

Porzio: After profitable their first ever Champions League within the earlier season, the sensation is that Pep Guardiola’s facet could per probability per probability properly furthermore repeat themselves this 300 and sixty 5 days. They signed extra avid avid gamers within the summertime swap window they usually saved most of their best avid avid gamers, and there could per probability be hardly ever on a regular basis any motive to guage that they’re now not all but once more the main candidates to uncover the trophy. They will additionally private the possibility to net the once more to once more by enjoying the closing at dwelling, in London. Resolve: Manchester Metropolis