Champions League 2008/9 Draw and Betting Preview

Everybody's favourite bureaucrats (UEFA) went through their annual dog and pony show to sort out the Champions League Groups for the upcoming season. Some interesting draws have created several difficult-looking groups and Liverpool find themselves in a relatively sticky situation, especially since they barely qualified for the competition against Standard Liege- the Belgian Champions. The Groups are as follows:Group A- Chelsea, Roma, Bordeaux, CFRGroup B- Inter Milan, Werder Bremen, Panathinaikos, AnorthosisGroup C- Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, FC Basel, Shaktar DonetskGroup D- Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Atletico MadridGroup E- Manchester United, Villareal, Celtic, AabGroup F- Olimpique Lyon, Bayern Munich, Steaua Bucharest, FiorentinaGroup G- Arsenal, FC Porto, Fenerbahce, Dynamo KyivGroup H- Real Madrid, Juventus, Zenit St. Petersburg, BATEEvery pundit (both professional and armchair) is always quick to label a group of death. While I'm particularly pleased that my beloved Man United have been given a relatively straightforward draw against familiar opposition, it also means that Diego Forlan will be returning to Old Trafford- a place where he will always be welcome. Unless he eliminates us from the competition. Then there'll be hell to pay. I can see United topping their group with the Spaniards as the favourites to qualify, but don't rule out Gordan Strachan's men- Celtic played excellent football in last year's Champions League and will be looking for a similar performance this year. Chelsea now get to enjoy a trip to the hair-gel-infested confines of AS Roma's Stadio Olimpico. I was convinced that United would wind up there for the third consecutive year, but now it will be Scolari's boys stepping up to challenge the Italians. Bordeaux are a decent team, but will be unlikely to overcome the two titans in their group and I also expect them to struggle away from home. CFR sounds like a bad cable TV channel.The Arse have a potentially tricky draw, but one that I expect them to overcome. Sporting are always capable of pulling off an upset, but I don't expect much opposition from FC Basel- I think they are pot 4 material, not pot 3. Shaktar could be a potentially tricky draw as a long plane ride and an antiquated pitch always make things difficult for away teams. If Shaktar can win their home games, they represent good value to go through. Rafa Benitez's job could very well be on the line if 'Pool don't get out of Group D. After just squeaking into the competition (yet somehow still being in Pot 1) Pool face 3 teams on relatively equal footing. Dutch team PSV, a perennial Champions League contestant, are capable of beating pretty much anybody in the competition while Marseille also possess a team capable of pulling off surprise results or grinding out low-scoring wins at home. Atletico is by far the strongest team in Group H and I would put my money on them qualifying in 2nd or 1st place. Recommendations will follow once bookmakers post their odds! Check back shortly. #1 Betfair Bonus £25 Free Bet.#2 Ladbrokes £25 Free Bet.#3 Paddypower Bonus £20 Free Bet.