Champions League group stage predictions

Group C

Barcelona
Manchester City
Borussia Monchengladbach
Celtic FC

This is yet another tasty group and could qualify as the “Group of Death” of the Champions League. Barcelona need no further introduction as they seek to wrestle the European trophy away from Real Madrid and Manchester City face higher expectations with Pep Guardiola at the helm.

There is also that little subplot of Guardiola once again facing his old team but it is not much of a novelty as previous years because he has faced Barcelona with Bayern Munich. Still there is some intrigue there as to how he will whip the Sky Blues in to shape to face one of football’s best sides.

Borussia Monchengladbach are a tough out as City know from last season’s group stage match that was not decided until a Sergio Aguero stoppage time penalty gave them all the three points. Gladbach were in pole position for at least a Europa League place until a late collapse against Sevilla saw them knocked out altogether.

Celtic FC are just happy to be here at this point. They scraped through the qualification stages but as we know Celtic Park is a tough place to play and they gave us a classic match against Barcelona a few seasons ago. They do not have much of a chance to advance but it will be fun watching them try.

Barcelona win the group, Manchester City second but by a close margin, Gladbach third, and Celtic a distant fourth but still having a blast.

Next: Group D