Champions League 2022-23 Preview

The Champions League returns this week for the 2022-23 season with many of the world's to players again looking to light up the competition. One team will come away with the trophy in Istanbul in May and let's see who I think it will be.

GROUP A

Ajax

The Dutch champions lost some key players over the summer including last seasons top goal scorer Sebastian Haller. With that and the fact that they're in a very tough group, they may have to settle for a Europa League place.

VERDICT: Europa League

Liverpool

The reds haven't looked at all convincing this season but their defeat in the final last season will hopefully motivate them to go all the way. They'll have enough quality to win the group but going far as they did last season will be tough to repeat.

VERDICT: Quarter Finals

Napoli

They've always been a tough team to play against in this competition and are definitely a team not to be underestimated. They might've lost some key players over the summer but I still think they'll make it out of this tough group.

VERDICT: Last 16

Rangers

It's good to have a club like Rangers back in this competition after over a decade away. Their run to the Europa League final last season will give them confidence but this level is another step up.

VERDICT: Group Stages

GROUP B

Atletico Madrid

Losing Luis Suarez will be a blow but Atleti should still have enough to get out the group. They have a strong and experienced squad and with a manager who has been there and done it in Simeone, they should win the group.

VERDICT: Last 16/Quarter Finals

Bayer Leverkusen

They might cause one or two surprises but they don't have enough experience at this level within their squad. Because of that they may have to settle for a Europa League place.

VERDICT: Europa League

Club Brugge

They never really go far in this competition because they haven't had the quality to do so like most Belgian clubs. With this likely to be the case again and the club in another tough group, they'll again be heading home early.

VERDICT: Group Stage

Porto

They rarely go far in this competition but they have had enough quality to get out the group on some occasions. They should get out the group this time round as they have a bit more quality than at least two other teams in this group. But I can't see them go very far.

VERDICT: Last 16

GROUP C

Barcelona

They've made some very good signings this summer despite their financial situation and are finally looking like a team with a clear identity. But I'm not sure they have the mentality to give this competition a good shot as they're still a team in transition.

VERDICT: Last 16

Bayern Munich

Losing Lewandowski will be a big blow but they have made one or two top signings over the summer. They'll definitely win the group as they have enough quality to do so but I think they'll fall short in the latter stages like they have done for the last two seasons.

VERDICT: Quarter Finals/Semi Finals

Inter Milan

Bringing back Lukaku is a massive boost and they also have a decent squad. But as they're in a tough group they may have to settle for a Europa League place.

VERDICT: Europa League

Viktoria Plzen

They'll be massive underdogs in this group as they're the smallest club and haven't got the quality that the other sides have. Because of this they're going to head out early.

VERDICT: Group Stage

GROUP D

Eintracht Frankfurt

This will be Frankfurt's first time in this competition after winning the Europa League last season. But with a lack of Champions League quality and experience within their squad, I can see them go out early.

VERDICT: Group Stages

Marseille

They have some good players in their squad but the majority of them don't have a lot of experience at this level. With a lack of quality as well as experience at this level, they might have to settle for a Europa League place.

VERDICT: Europa League

Sporting Lisbon

They got out of a tough group last season and have more experience at this level than some of the other teams in their current group. They won't go very far but they might just make it out the group.

VERDICT: Last 16

Tottenham

They'll definitely win the group because of the quality and strength and depth they have compared to the other teams in their group. With a top class manager at the helm alongside the strong squad they have, they could give this competition a good shot.

VERDICT: Quarter Finals

GROUP E

AC Milan

The Serie A champions should fare better this time round as they're in a more winnable group. They'll have more than enough quality to get out the group but going beyond the round of 16 is a tough ask.

VERDICT: Last 16

Chelsea

There has been some uncertainty around them but on paper the blues still have a top quality side. With some top signings through the door and a good manager in charge, they could reach the latter stages once again.

VERDICT: Quarter Finals

Dinamo Zagreb

They've never fared well in this competition as they haven't had the quality of some of the other sides in the competition. With this likely to be the case again this season, it's going to be the same outcome.

VERDICT: Group Stages

Red Bull Salzburg

They got out their group last season because it was very open. But with a slightly more challenging group this time round, repeating the same will be tough with there being two clear favourites to qualify.

VERDICT: Europa League

GROUP F

Celtic

It's good for a club of their stature back in the group stages of this competition after many failed attempts. But with a lack of Champions League experience in their squad and their group looking pretty tough, I think they'll struggle here.

VERDICT: Group Stages

RB Leipzig

Having Timo Werner back is a welcome boost as he could give them back that underdog spirit which served them in the season they reached the semi finals. They have some very good players in their squad and because of that I can see them qualify from the group.

VERDICT: Last 16

Real Madrid

The departure of Casemiro has left a big hole in their midfield. But they still have top class players in other positions and some good young players in their squad. They'll definitely reach the latter stages because of the quality they have but winning it again will be more challenging than last time.

VERDICT: Semi Finals

Shakhtar Donetsk

Being in this competition will give their fans something to cheer about after what they've been through over the last six months. They'll put in some spirited performances but I think they'll just fall short of qualifying.

VERDICT: Europa League

GROUP G

Borussia Dortmund

Losing Haaland is a massive blow as is losing his replacement in Sebastian Haller. But they still have enough quality and experience to make it out the group despite not having a clinical no.9.

VERDICT: Last 16

FC Copenhagen

They'll be massive underdogs in this group because of the quality of opposition they'll be up against. They don't have the quality of players the other sides have and because of that they'll probably go out early.

VERDICT: Group Stage

Man City

The signing of Haaland will make a massive difference for them this year as they missed that kind of player in their semi final defeat to Real Madrid last season. Now that they have that world class striker to get them over the line, they should be favourites.

VERDICT: Winners

Sevilla

They're that team who sometimes prefer to go out at the group stage and win the Europa League. With them being a tough group this season, the same is likely to happen again.

VERDICT: Europa League

GROUP H

Benfica

They did reach the Quarter Finals last season where they were also in a very tough group. They're in another tough group this season but progressing from it will be tougher this time round.

VERDICT: Europa League

Juventus

They're not the same team they used to be and have been disappointing in this competition for the last three seasons. They'll have enough to get out the group but I can't see them go beyond the round of 16.

VERDICT: Last 16

Maccabi Haifa

They'll be massive underdogs in this group as they're not as strong as the other teams in the group. Because of this they're almost certainly going to bow out early.

VERDICT: Group Stage

PSG

They have some outstanding individuals but they're only a team of individuals which last season showed. They'll definitely win the group because of the quality they have but I think they're going to disappoint everyone yet again because of them being a team of individuals.

VERDICT: Last 16/Quarter Finals