The Champions League Draw

Having just gone through the UEFA Champions League Draw for the 2007-08 season, I couldn't help but try and analyze the various groups. The first thing that I noticed was that two big teams were not there, Bayern Munich and Juventus. The omission of Juventus was understandable as they were in the Serie B last season due to the match fixing scandal, but what about Munich. They couldn't qualify for it, for the first time in their history. Group A- Liverpool, Marseille, Porto and Besiktas. Should be no problem for Liverpool and Porto to advance. Group B-Chelsea, Valencia, Schalke and Rosenborg. This group should see Chelsea and Valencia going through without a problem. Group C- Real Madrid, Werder Bremen, Lazio, Olympiakos. A bit of a tricky group. Real Madrid should be one of the teams going through but the second would be a closesly contested battle between Bremen and Lazio. Group D-AC Milan, Benfica, Celtic and Shakhtar Donetsk. Defending Champions Milan to progress and Benfica and Celtic to battle for
 the second spot. Group E- Barcelona, Lyon, Rangers and Stuttgart. Favourites Barcelona to go through with ease and Lyon could face trouble from Rangers. Group F - Manchester United, AS Roma, Sporting Lisbon, Dynamo Kiev. We all remember last seasons
 match between United and Roma and can expect more though United haven't got off to the best start this season. A tricky and difficult group. Group G- Inter Milan, PSV, Spartak Moscow and Fenerbache. Inter Milan and PSV to go through. The last group, Group H should see Arsenal going into the enxt round easily along with Athens at the expense of Bucharest and Slavia Prague.
It should turn out to be a very thrilling and exciting Champion League with a large number of exciting matches.