Champions league group stage 2009

Our Champions League betting previews are back as the first group stage games kick off today. It looks set to be another exciting year with plenty of goals, action, celebrations and tears. After several years of English teams dominating the competition, some of the other European teams have started to fight back. Most notably Real Madrid with their summer transfer bonanza, with Ronaldo and Kaka at the top of the list. They will be hoping have enough to compete against counterparts Barcelona who won the final in style last season against Manchester United. In Italy Juventus had some bigger summer signings in Brazilians Diego and Felipe Melo.

At least one English team has been in the final for the last 5 seasons running. Will it happen again this year? Manchester Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all hope it could be them. Both Man Utd and Liverpool have won it in the past few years, although only on penalties. Does that show a lack of flair in the English game?

Champions League winner 09/10?

• Chelsea (20%, 1 Votes)
• Manchester United (20%, 1 Votes)
• Real Madrid (20%, 1 Votes)
• Barcelona (20%, 1 Votes)
• Other (20%, 1 Votes)
• Liverpool (0%, 0 Votes)
• Arsenal (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 5

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It is not a secret that Abrahamovich’s dream is to see Chelsea lift the trophy. They kick off their campaign tonight against FC Porto without Didier Drogba who has a 3 match ban after last year’s semi-final incidents. Can Carlo Ancelotti bring Chelsea the success they long for?

It’s life without Ronaldo for Manchester United as they travel to Turkey tonight to play Besiktas. Will the way Barcelona outplayed them in the final have pushed them and manager Sir Alex Ferguson to step up their game? It has been a quiet start to the season for them as usual and there are no major new players in the team this year. It is time for the youngsters to shine. Wayne Rooney has been on fire recently. Particularly in their 3-1 come-back over Spurs with only 10 men for the final 30 minutes of the game.

Liverpool play Debrecen on Wednesday. They have lost key man Alonso this season and need to replace his presence in the team soon. Alberto Aquilani should be fit to make his debut soon, but can he suitably replace Alonso? Glen Johnson has been a success. Popping up with goals and assists in all of the 5 premiership matches so far this season. He will be a key attacking player for them.

Arsene Wenger and his young team travel to Standard Liege for their Wednesday kick-off. Will his players have the experience and spirit to see this competition to the end? Good news for them is that Eduardo has had his diving ban overturned and will now be eligible to play. Tomáš Rosický also made his comeback on the weekend against Manchester City. He could be important this season. Key playmaker Andrei Arshavin is also eligible to play this season after being cup-tied in the last competition.

See all the fixtures here.