GROUP A
Bayern Munich
Man United
Nantes
Boavista

Bayern Munich

The reigning Champions have breezed through Phase 1 (as usual) despite
missing several key players due to injury. Elber and Pizarro have formed
a great partnership in attack and Salihamidzic is, IMO, the best left sided
player in the World today. Bayern should have no problems taking their
customary place in the Quarter Finals.

Man United

The Premiership champions have been spared a difficult draw. The tactically
naive Ferguson has built his success on a World Class midfield and Beckham,
Keane, Giggs and Veron should see off Boavista for 2nd place.

Nantes

Bottom of the French league with only one victory but top of their Champions
League group. Have played some superb football but are not likely to repeat
their Phase 1 heroics.

Boavista

The explosive shooting of Silva and Sanchez lit up the tournament but once
qualification was within their reach the Portuguese Champions seemed to be
overcome with stage fright, loosing their final two games. Should push Man 
United for second place.

Qualifiers : Bayern Munich and Man United


GROUP B
Roma
Barcelona
Liverpool
Galatasaray

GROUP B

Roma

Despite being hit by injuries to Montella and Batistuta the rapidly improving 
Italian Champions are finding their form at the right time. With Totti and
Samuel at the top of their game Roma's hard working and systematic fouling
should see them into the last eight.

Barcelona

Barca's once farcical defence has improved no end since the acquisitions of
Christanval and Andersson over the summer. Only one away defeat for
the usually poor travellers tells it's own story. Kluivert has suddenly become
a match winner easing the pressure on the team's perennial saviour Rivaldo.
The midfield looks lightweight and Barca will struggle against the tough
tackling of Liverpool and Roma.

Liverpool

The UEFA Cup holders are one of the three unbeaten teams left in the
competition (along with Bayern and Deportivo). The tactics may be basic -
defend and hit on the break, but they work to perfection. As long as
Owen stays fit Liverpool should progress.

Galatasaray

Have only scored five goals and struggled away from home. They also
lost most of their star players over the summer. No chance.

Qualifiers : Liverpool and Roma


GROUP C
Real Madrid
Panathinaikos
Porto
Sparta Prague

Real Madrid

Real's suspect defensive isn't likely to be tested in this ridiculously one
sided group leaving the Spanish Champions to concentrate on improving
their awful domestic league form.

Panathinaikos

Last season Panathinaikos qualified from a very difficult group but wilted
in Phase 2 this season the team isn't so heavily dependent on injury prone
Paulo Sousa. Karagounis has been one of the revelations of the tournament
and Olisadebe has caught the eye with his searing pace and powerful shooting.
The Greeks will not have a better chance to make the knockout stages.

Porto

Pena will need to improve his accuracy in front of goal if Porto are to qualify.

Sparta Prague

Kept four clean sheets before conceding goals in their final two games once
qualification was already assured. Two season's ago a Sparta team with Rosicky
and Lokvenc impressively qualified for Phase 2 but failed miserably once there.
I expect the same this season. If nothing else talented midfielder Jarosik will
probably earn a move to a big club.

Qualifiers : Real Madrid, Panathinaikos


GROUP D
Juventus
Leverkusen
Deportivo
Arsenal

Juventus

One of the pre-tournament favourites Juventus have been far from convincing.
With the usually dodgy penalty and inspired goalkeeping displays seeing them
through to Phase 2. Juve's biggest weakness is their defence, having conceded
8 goals so far despite facing modest opposition the prospects of preventing the
likes of Tristan and Henry from scoring appear slim. Fortunately for Juve
Trezeguet and Del Piero have been outstanding.

Leverkusen

Surprisingly qualified from what looked like a difficult group. Ballack and Neuville
may not impress when playing for Germany but they have certainly caught the
eye in the Champions League, Ballack in particular. Old man Kirsten keeps
scoring and Brazilian defender Lucio is top of the shopping lists for many
of Europe's big clubs. If Leverkusen can maintain the spirit they showed in Phase
2 a place in the last eight isn't beyond them.

Deportivo

Super Depor lazily came through qualification, only bothering to make an
effort against Man United. Depor have a World Class forward in Diego
Tristan and more importantly their away form has improved no end. This
may be the group of death but Depor should have no problems qualifying.

Arsenal

Arsenal's home form sees them through to Phase 2 for the second consecutive
season but they couldn't have asked for a tougher draw. Despite the talents
of Henry and Vieira the gunners need a dramatic improvement in their away
form if they are to have any hope of getting further.

Qualifiers : Deportivo, Leverkusen