Champions League group stage predictions and storylines

Champions League group stage predictions

MONACO, FRANCE - AUGUST 25: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award nominees, Antoine Griezmann (3rd L) , Gareth Bale (C) and Christiano Ronaldo (R) during the UEFA Champions League draw on August 25, 2016 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

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INGOLSTADT, GERMANY – AUGUST 22: (L-R) Renato Sanches, Arturo Vidal, Douglas Costa and Arjen Robben of FC Bayern arrive for the Audi car handover at Audi Forum on August 22, 2016 in Ingolstadt, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Group D

Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid
PSV Eindhoven
FC Rostov

Another top heavy group with two giants and two relative minnows. Atletico Madrid famously beat Bayern Munich last season en route to the Champions League Final and they will be hoping to do the same in the group stage. They will likely feast on the other two teams in the group and then decide who will finish first in their match on December 6th.

PSV Eindhoven lost several key players this summer and will suffer for it as they finish last in this group. FC Rostov will finish third and make their way in to the Europa League, somewhat based on how difficult the away fixtures will be at their home stadium in Russia.

Atletico Madrid slightly edges Bayern Munich for top spot in the group, almost solely based on the fact that they have continuity at manager while Bayern adjusts to new leadership under Carlo Ancelotti.

Next: Group E

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