The group stage of the UEFA Champions League has concluded, the stage is set and now the cast is confirmed. 16 of Europe's elite will now do battle to claim the most prestigious prize in club football, and become champions of Europe. Four wins are all that separates the remaining teams from failure and immortality...
But, cliche ridden wank aside, which of the remaining teams has the best chance of lifting the coveted trophy, come the end of March? Let's take a look at who we have left, as we (and by we, I of course mean me) rank these elite clubs, and Arsenal, starting from least likely to win and moving up...
16. Galatasary
The Turks barely escaped group H by the skin of their teeth, even having an inferior goal difference to 3rd placed Cluj. They would be underdogs against any of the other 15.
Prediction: This is the team everyone will have their fingers crossed to draw against in the second round, where Galatasary's European quest will almost certainly come to an end.
15. Arsenal
One of just two English teams in the draw, Arsenal only qualified by a point from what was one of the relatively weaker groups, and are now very likely to face a difficult draw in the next round.
Prediction: Considering their second placed finish, Arsenal are highly unlikely to progress any further, barring a very kind draw.
14. Shaktar Donetsk
Shaktar progressed through the group stages at the expense of reigning champions Chelsea, and could be a tricky challenge on their own turf, but are unlikely to cause much trouble over two legs.
Prediction: Barring some luck on and off the pitch, Shaktar probably won't get much further.
13. Porto
Porto currently sit joint top of their domestic league, tied on both points and goals with Benfica who are only top due to having scored one goal more. They have they talent to cause problems, particularly James Rodriguez who may well have sought pastures new by this time next year.
Prediction: A tricky draw for whoever the meet, but Porto would be fortunate to reach the quarter finals.
12. Schalke
Despite reaching the semi-finals of the UCL in 2011, Schalke are unlikely to cause much damage this year. They currently sit in fifth place in the Bundesliga, 16 points off the ridiculous pace set by the rampant Bayern Munich, but winning their group means the possibility of a kinder draw in the next round.
Prediction: Schalke are largely relying on a fortunate draw to progress further, and are very unlikely to repeat the success of 2011.
11. Celtic
The Scottish champions secured one of the most famous results in their history with victory over group winners Barcelona, and are notoriously difficult to beat on their own ground. But they face stern competition in the next round, with the possibility of drawing Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
Prediction: On their own ground, Celtic really can beat just about anybody, and that prowess at home could see Celtic perhaps sneaking into the quarter finals. Against the elite clubs though, they simply won't be good enough over two legs.
10. Valencia
Impressive in the group stage as they pushed last years runners-up Bayern Munich all the way, only finishing second on head-to-head, Valencia have gone off the boil a little as of late, with just 2 wins in their last 5.
Prediction: Valencia have the talent to progress further, but they may be relying on the draw a little, and are certainly unlikely to go further than the quarter finals.
9. AC Milan
Milan currently sit in 7th place in Serie A, 14 points which might as well be 14 light years away from Juventus who currently top the table. They also failed to top their group and thus face the prospect of a difficult draw in the next round
Prediction: Milan could very well go through, but it's difficult to see progressing past the quarter finals.
8. Malaga
Malaga's domestic form has also sputtered a little as of late, but they topped a group that included AC Milan, and are better than most of the teams they can draw in the next round.
Prediction: Malaga are better than any of the teams they can draw in the next round and are likely to progress to the quarter finals. They won't trouble the elite clubs though.
7. Paris SG
In spite of the incredible financial power that PSG now posess, they are currently 3 points off the pace in Ligue 1, sitting second behind Lyon. In a straight match however, with the likes of Zlatan Ibrohimovic and Tiago Silva in their ranks, PSG will be a challenge for any team they come up against.
Prediction: PSG should reach the quarter finals, and may even have an outside chance of reaching the Semi's if the draw goes their way.
6. Juventus
Juventus currently sit top of Serie A with a four point lead over Inter Milan. It's been a long road to recovery for Juventus, but the Italian champions are most definitely back amongst the elite of European football.
Prediction: The quarter finals should be a bare minimum for Juventus, and realistically they should be looking to reach the semis.
5. Manchester United
It's been a strange season thus far for United, as they have coupled probably the best strike partnership in Europe with one of the leakiest defences in their history. However, they currently sit 6 points clear at the top of the premiership following a dramatic win over second placed local rivals and current champions, Manchester City, and if they can stay free if injuries, United have the firepower to outgun anyone, anytime, anyplace.
Prediction: After a disappointing exit at the group stage last season, United will be looking for a strong showing, and will be aiming for the semi-finals, anything less would be considered failure.
4. Real Madrid
Going into this season, I really thought this was Madrid's year. I had the reigning Spanish champions picked to win the champions league and claim their 10th European cup, but they have struggled to gather any sort of traction so far, culminating in stunning defeats against Real Betis and Celta Vigo. They currently sit 3rd in La Liga, 11 points behind the still unbeaten force-of-nature that is Barcelona.
Prediction: After finishing second in their group, Real Madrid face a challenge from the get-go, but with the sheer talent in the team, they will be very difficult to beat. The 2-2 draw against Barcelona earlier this season proved that they can still match up with the best of the best.
3. Borussia Dortmund
The reigning champions of Germany have set their sights firmly on the UCL, topping what was easily the hardest group, comprising themselves and the champions of England, Spain and Holland, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Ajax: and they finished unbeaten.
Prediction: Dortmund are dangerous and have a very real chance of winning. If they can avoid the next two teams, they stand an excellent chance of making the final.
2. Bayern Munich
The runaway league leaders in Germany have an 11 point margin over second place Borussia Dortmund and have scored 43 goals in 16 games, averaging almost four goals a game at home. Bayern have been utterly rampant so far this season, and after losing the final last year, on their own ground no less, they will be desperate to right that wrong and reclaim Europe's top prize.
Prediction: Bayern match up favourably against just about anyone, and have an excellent chance of winning the UCL. But a hero is only as good as his villain, and in this case, Bayern's antagonists may well be too much...
1. Barcelona
What more can be said about Barcelona that hasn't already been said? And the scary thing is... they appear to be getting better. 15 games in and Barcelona are still unbeaten, only failing to win on one occasion, a 2-2 draw with their greatest rivals Real Madrid. They've won the trophy 3 times in the last 6 seasons, and their lethal offense is led by the greatest player to have ever graced the game, a man who this season has recorded 33 goals and 7 assists in just 20 games, the incomparable Lionel Messi.
Prediction: A final contested by Bayern and Barcelona really could go either way, and of course anything can happen on the night... but Barca at their best are better than Bayern at their best.
I can't wait until the UCL starts again in February. The draw for the next round is on December 20th, keep an ear out, and no matter who wins, let's just hope that football is the ultimate winner, and that this years Champions league is remembered for all the right reasons.
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