Predictions for the Champions League: the fate of Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle is estimated

Manchester City had the seemingly easy task of reaching the playoffs. Photo: Getty Images/Matthew Ashton

So the band scene is set. Another Champions League tournament is approaching and, as always, the long-awaited draw did not disappoint, with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle getting to know their opponents.

This is where Telegraph Sport breaks down. each group and predicts the finishing position of each team in the group stage:

Group A

Bayern Munich
Manchester United
Galatasaray
Copenhagen

It drew some sighs from the public when Harry Kane's Bayern Munich drew against a club he could – and some believe should have – joined this summer at Manchester United. This will certainly add to the intrigue, but the rest of the draw means both European giants must progress, with Copenhagan and Galatasaray (which will feature former Manchester United flounder Wilfred Zaha) battling for third place and a chance of promotion to the League. Europe after Christmas.< /p>Group B

Arsenal
Seville
Lance
< strong>PSV

Probably things could have been worse or better for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. Sevilla will be strong and boast a lot of European achievements — although mostly in the Europa League. PSV beat Rangers impressively in the preliminary round, but it's no longer the feat it once had to endure given the Scottish club's decline in performance and Rangers' poor start to the season. The lens is also not to be underestimated. Last season, they took PSG to the finish line in Ligue 1. Arsenal should qualify for the play-offs, with Lens and Sevilla battling it out for second and third.

Arsenal will look to their chances of winning through their group Photo: Getty Images/Jacques Feeney Group C

Real Madrid
Napoli
Union Berlin< br />Braga

One of those groups where it seems like you already know who will finish first and who will finish second. The game between Italian champions Napoli and Champions League aristocrat Real Madrid (with Jude Bellingham pulling the strings in a new attacking role) will be exciting, but the two should have more than enough to beat both Braga and Union Berlin». I would like the German club to finish third, ahead of the team that finished third in Portugal last season.

Group D

Benfica
Inter Milan >
Real Sociedad
Salzburg

Benfica have shown amazing consistency in this competition over the past few years and, along with last season's finalist Inter Milan, will be favorites to advance to the play-offs. Salzburg are likely to be the whipping boy in the group, but Real Sociedad are dangerous and can come as a shock here. They finished above Manchester United in their Europa League group last season and hope to take points from one of Benfica or Inter Milan.

Group E

Atletico Madrid< br />< strong>Feyenoord
Lazio
Celtic

Feyenoord have become one of the most talked about clubs in Europe after Ajax were crowned Dutch champions and manager Arne Sloot is believed to have turned down offers to take charge over the past six months» Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United. Atlético Madrid should be one of the top two teams, but it's hard to decide who will finish behind them and in what order. It's a really awkward draw for Celtic, who are predicted to finish bottom and miss out on the Europa League.

Group F

PSG
Newcastle United
Milan
Borussia Dortmund >

An appetizing draw for Newcastle United after returning to the top European football table after a 20-year absence. Eddie Howe will rest easy knowing that he will continue his European journey well into 2024. PSG will obviously be the favourites, but Dortmund have had a poor start to the season and look unstable, while Milan sold their best player, Sandro Tonali, to Newcastle this summer as they needed money. The Premier League team has nothing to fear and can either finish second or third.

Newcastle are back in Europe, but their draw could hardly have been tougher. Photo: Shutterstock/Peter Powell Group G

Manchester City
RB Leipzig
Red Star Belgrade
Young Boys

The rest of Europe will roll their eyes in disgust at seeing the world's top team and reigning European champions Manchester City fall into such an easy group. Pep Guardiola's team must beat these rivals: Leipzig and Red Star are fighting for second and third place, and Young Boys are fighting for a place. The prospect of Manchester City being able to secure progress in the Champions League with games remaining — so they can rest their famous stars — will also not please their domestic rivals.

Group H

BarcelonaPorto
Shakhtar Donetsk
Antwerp

Barcelona Also received here draw and they should top the group ahead of Porto who finished second behind Benfica in Portugal. Shakhtar Donetsk have been forced to sell a lot of players in the last 12 months and will again play their home matches in Poland. They hope to overtake Antwerp and qualify for the Europa League.