Champions League draw: Liverpool and Chelsea delighted, Arsenal face battle and Manchester City in group of death

Group A
Atletico, last season's beaten finalists, seem to have done good business this summer by bringing in Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann to compensate for the loss of Diego Costa. They naturally stand as favourites in front of Juventus who will hope to do much better after failing to get out of their group last time. The Italian champions, however, should feel fairly confident. Olympiakos look unlikely to repeat last term's good showing while Malmo, as Champions League debutants, will do well in this company to hold their own.
Qualifiers: Atletico and Juventus

Group B
Liverpool must be happy. Not only can they look forward to welcoming Real to Merseyside for a belting tie that will have Anfield rocking, their return to Europe's top table should be marked by progression. Basle, of course, cannot be underestimated, having proved themselves capable of beating Chelsea last season. Ludogorets, on the other hand, will do well to win a point after qualifying the other night in sensational fashion. The reigning champions, quite naturally, will be the team to beat as Carlo Ancelotti juggles with his galacticos to try and find the right balance.
Qualifiers: Real Madrid and Liverpool

Group C
This one could be tight, with none of the four standing out as favourites. Benfica could take more heart from their Europa League exploits if they hadn't sold some important players, Liverpool's Lazar Markovic among them. It's a similar story with Leverkusen who must move forward without Emre Can and Sidney Sam. Zenit could be dangerous under Andre Villas-Boas, armed with a good recent record for getting out of their group. That just leaves Monaco, minus James Rodriguez but still with the much sought-after Radamel Falcao. If he hangs around, Monaco could be dangerous.
Qualifiers: Zenit and Monaco

Group D
Far from ideal for Arsene Wenger's side, once again put in a group with Jurgen Klopp's Dortmund who now have to face life without Robert Lewandowski. But the inspirational Klopp usually finds a way and the German giants represent Arsenal's biggest threat. Mind you, Galatasaray will be no push-overs. Now coached by former Italy manager Cesare Prandelli, it took Chelsea to eliminate them in the first knock-out stage last year. Anderlecht might not prove so stubborn if recent form is anything to go by, disappointing last season in finishing bottom of their group.
Qualifiers: Arsenal and Dortmund

Group E
If you are looking for the obligatory group of death, this ranks as a contender, pairing as it does two of Europe's best. And despite previous failures, I include City in that category. Lessons must have been learned over the last few years to give a formidably strong squad half a chance of actually winning the competition. As for Bayern, they will surely come again under Pep Guardiola while Ashley Cole's Roma cannot be taken lightly. CSKA, however, are more of a conundrum after somehow finishing bottom last time behind Viktoria Plzen.
Qualifiers: Bayern and City

Group F
Europe waits to see if Barca's time at the top has come to an end following a destabilising period on and off the pitch. Yet Luis Enrique still has much to play with, especially when Luis Suarez joins Lionel Messi and Neymar in his attack. PSG, in fairness, have some talent of their own, even if David Luiz brings question marks at the back. Even then, these two teams should be too strong for Ajax, forever forced to sell their best players. Apoel, for their part, can only hope to keep the scoring down.
Qualifiers: Barca and PSG

Group G
Like Liverpool, Chelsea can't complain, having been drawn in a group far from intimidating. Jose Mourinho comfortably beat Schalke twice last year and he will probably do the same with an even stronger team. Sporting are in no position to resist either, particularly after selling Marcos Rojo to Manchester United and Eric Dier to Spurs. William Carvalho might also be out the door. After beating Celtic in the play-offs, Maribor make up the numbers but can't hope to compete at this heady level.
Qualifiers: Chelsea and Schalke

Group H
Another intriguing group difficult to predict. Porto's defensive resolve must be brought into question after losing Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando to Manchester City. Bruno Martins Indi has it all to do. So does a Bilbao side inexperienced at this level and without Ander Herrera. Their football, however, can sometimes sweep teams away. That was once true of Shakhtar, a club now caught in the middle of a civil war. Playing home games in Lviv might not help their cause. Bate's claim to fame is beating Bayern 3-1. The Belarussian champions might have to live on memories.
Qualifiers: Porto and Bilbao