Champions League: Best & worst case scenarios

This pot will face limited options for Manchester City as Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are placed in this group, therefore ruling only five potential opponents for the group stage.

Spanish teams dominate with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla joined by Juventus and RB Leipzig in the rest of the teams. Certainly, no easy pickings for the club.

Barcelona has had a summer of transfer activity to help rebuild the squad to the standards that it once was under Pep Guardiola. We can complain about their financial becoming but the signings of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Raphina and Franck Kessié certainly improve the squad amongst the young talent of Gavi, Pedri and Ansu Fati.

The draw in last night’s friendly may see a more competitive trip to the renamed Spotify Camp Nou, one I fancy City being victorious home and away.

Juventus are always strong and will provide a difficult opponent, however, the side to avoid will have to be, Atletico Madrid.

This is based purely on their ill-tempered quarter-final over the two legs which saw a tunnel fight, Jack Grealish being picked on by a bunch of bullies and challenges to make any hardman wince. Diego Simeone is likely to turn up the heat as he will be seeking revenge for last year’s exit.

RB Leipzig were last year’s group opponents which provided a goal fest on matchday one and a defeat when the group winners slot was sewn up. Christopher Nkunku and non-homesick Timo Werner, along with their creative flair, may cause more troubles than people think.

The closest to travel may favour their selection over Sevilla, another team that is considered the easiest in the pot.

They have lost two senior centre-backs and are pinning their hopes on a rejuvenated Isco to spark their attacking chances. Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán is always a tricky place to go for any European competition.