Champions League draw simulator: Favourable draws for the English sides, Real Madrid hit with 'Group of Death'

The much anticipated Champions League draw is fast approaching as the 32 teams await their opponents for the group stage of the competition. 

This year, there are six British teams in the draw after Rangers put in a monumental effort to dispatch Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. The usual suspects including the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are the favourites to go all the way.

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We have decided to run the draw through a simulator and it resulted in favourable draws for the English sides. There are also some mouthwatering match ups involving some of Europe's finest teams, holders Real Madrid are drawn into a ‘Group of Death’. Here is the draw in full. 

Group A - AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, Dinamo Zagreb 

AC Milan were knocked out at the group stage in last season’s competition but as the reigning champions of Italy, they will be expected to qualify from this group as winners. Leipzig and Champions League regulars Shakhtar will be the two teams fighting for second place in the group. 

Group B - Bayern Munich, Sevilla, RB Salzburg, Maccabi Haifa 

Bavarian giants Bayern are one of the favourites to win the competition despite losing talisman Robert Lewandowski, the arrival of Sadio Mane will make the Germans a real force in Europe once again. Salzburg will fancy their chances of getting through to the last 16 again like they did last season. Sevilla have started the season poorly and will need to up their game if they are to qualify. 

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Group C - Porto, Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen, Celtic 

An all British tie in Group C as Chelsea take on Celtic. A relatively easy group for Thomas Tuchel’s side and they should qualify as winners with ease. Celtic, backed by the hostile Celtic Park will fancy themselves of sneaking through against Portuguese champions Porto. Leverkusen are winless in the Bundesliga this season so far and should not be much of a threat.

Group D - Manchester City, Barcelona, Napoli, Marseille 

City have been dealt the toughest draw out of the English teams but as the bookies’ favourites to win the trophy, they should have no problem navigating through this group. Barcelona will be hoping to qualify for the knockout stages this time round after a shock exit at the group stage last season. Napoli and Marseille are expected to pose only a minor threat. 

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Group E - Paris Saint Germain, Atletico Madrid, Sporting Lisbon, FC Kobenhavn. 

A tasty tie in the shape of PSG vs Atletico. Messi, Neymar, Mbappe and co are desperate to win this trophy as the Parisians are yet to get their hands on the European crown. Diego Simeone’s Atletico are masters of the dark arts and will back themselves to beat anyone. 

Group F - Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, Viktoria Plzen 

Antonio Conte’s Spurs are back in the Champions League after beating Arsenal to fourth place in the Premier League last season. Their toughest test in this group will be Conte’s former side Inter, who have started their Serie A season with two wins out of two. 

Group G - Ajax, Liverpool, Benfica, Club Brugge

Last year’s runners up Liverpool have had a turbulent start to the season as they are 16th in the Premier League and without a win. Jurgen Klopp has been hit with an ever growing list of injuries. Despite their problems, they should still have enough to finish top in this group. Ajax and Benfica will be their biggest tests in this relatively favourable group. 

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Group H - Real Madrid, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Rangers

Saving the best till last, a spectacular Group of Death sees European giants Madrid, Juventus and Dortmund go head to head as they battle for qualification. Madrid will be hoping to defend their crown but will face another tough journey to the top. Rangers will draw on their Europa League run last season to try and send shockwaves across the continent. 

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The draw for the 22/23 Champions League is set to get underway at 5pm on Thursday 25 August in Istanbul.