Champions League Group B predictions and odds: Pugnacious Atleti have the edge

Team-by-team guide, betting predictions, best bets and analysis for Champions League Group B.

Atletico Madrid

Manager – Diego Simeone
The most successful manager in the club's history has led them to eight trophies, including two La Liga titles and two Europa League crowns. Diego Simeone's team have reached two Champions League finals, losing to Real Madrid on both occasions.

Transfer activity
Saul Niguez's deadline-day loan to Chelsea was a blow, but Antoine Griezmann has returned from Barcelona and should appreciate the creativity and vision of fellow new signing Rodrigo de Paul.

Key man
De Paul delivered nine assists and nine goals for struggling Udinese last season, and looks ready to showcase his talents at a higher level.

Prospects
It is almost ten years since Atleti struck gold by appointing Simeone and they are among the teams to be feared this season.

Simeone has had years of having to get used to competing with teams with bigger budgets but he gets on with the job and is as popular as ever after last season's La Liga title triumph.

Atleti were less successful in the 2020-21 Champions League – losing 3-0 on aggregate to Chelsea in the round of 16 – but they return to the competition with high hopes thanks to the exciting signings of De Paul and Griezmann.

Inside info

Best 11
3-1-4-2: Oblak; Savic, Gimenez, Hermoso; Koke; Trippier, Llorente, De Paul, Carrasco; Griezmann, Suarez.

Penalty taker Luis Suarez

Set-piece aerial threat Stefan Savic

Card magnet Stefan Savic

Star rating out of five Four

Liverpool

Manager – Jurgen Klopp
Injuries took their toll last season but Jurgen Klopp can look back with some satisfaction on a third place league finish and will be looking for improvements at home and abroad.

Transfer activity
It has been relatively quiet on the transfer front for the Merseysiders, who did one bit of big business, recruiting centre-back Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.

Key man
Liverpool lacked a reliable defence last season but Virgil Van Dijk's return could make them a different animal. The Dutchman's fitness needs to be carefully managed but he could have a massive role to play in the biggest games.

Prospects
While other clubs have splashed the cash in efforts to retrieve past glories, Liverpool, with the exception of Konate's capture, have sat on the sidelines, content that they have the tools to challenge on all fronts.

Much of last season was a slog for the Reds, who suffered from a spate of defensive injuries and struggled more than most in adapting to empty stadiums.

Under the circumstances a third-place finish and a run to the Champions League quarter-finals was not too shabby, and Liverpool will be hoping for improvement on both fronts as long as the fans are out in force and the squad remains largely injury-free.

Inside info

Best 11
4-3-3: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Mane.

Penalty taker Mohamed Salah

Set-piece aerial threat Virgil Van Dijk

Card magnet Fabinho

Star rating out of five Four

Porto

Manager – Sergio Conceicao
The 46-year-old has some credit in the bank after delivering league titles in 2017-18 and 2019-20 but he failed to win a trophy last term and is under pressure to take his team back to the Portuguese pinnacle.

Transfer activity
Conceicao has been happy to keep a largely settled squad although Brazilian recruits Pepe and Wendell should increase competition in attack and defence.

Key man
Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi was the club's top scorer last season and bears even greater responsibility following the departure of Malian forward Moussa Marega to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal.

Prospects
Porto's progress to last season's Champions League quarter-finals was a superb achievement but it could be tricky to match that after they were drawn in a hugely competitive group.

The Dragons showed a strong mentality in last season's round of 16 to overcome Italian heavyweights Juventus, drawing 4-4 on aggregate and advancing on away goals.

However, they fell short in Portugal – they finished five points adrift of Sporting – and failed to win a trophy for the first time since the 2017. Overall, Porto do not look any stronger than last term, but they have plenty of European experience and will be tough to beat.

Inside info

Best 11
4-4-2: Diogo Costa; Joao Mario, Pepe, Mbemba, Wendell; Otavio, Uribe, Bruno Costa, Diaz; Toni Martinez, Taremi.

Penalty taker Mehdi Taremi

Set-piece aerial threat Pepe

Card magnet Pepe

Star rating out of five Two

Milan

Manager – Stefano Pioli
Several managers have failed to lift Milan out of the doldrums but Stefano Piolo steered them to second in Serie A last term, ensuring the club's long-awaited return to Champions League.

Transfer activity
Champions League qualification was not enough to prevent a pair of key departures with creative midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu joining Inter and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma signing up for Paris St-Germain. Veteran striker Olivier Giroud and highly-rated goalkeeper Mike Maignan are among the summer intake.

Key man
Giroud has made a strong start – scoring twice in a 4-1 win at home to Cagliari – and must attempt to fill the boots of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been struggling with a knee injury.

Prospects
Milan are back where they feel they belong but it could take them a while to readjust to competing alongside Europe's best.

Last season's second-place finish in Serie A was a considerable step forward for a club who have endured a long period of mediocrity.

However, Milan are no longer able to compete for the world's top talent and had to suffer the agony of losing top class goalkeeper Donnarumma to big-spending Paris St-Germain.

With time and patience the glory days could return but a group stage exit looks the most likely outcome over the next three months.

Inside info

Best 11
4-2-3-1: Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Kessie, Krunic; Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao; Giroud.

Penalty taker Olivier Giroud/Franck Kessie

Set-piece aerial threat Olivier Giroud

Card magnet Franck Kessie

Star rating out of five Two

Best bet

Atletico Madrid to win group B
2pts 2-1 Paddy Power, Betfair

Group preview

Atletico Madrid were the last visiting team to triumph in front of a full house at Anfield and may have the edge over Liverpool in their Champions League group.

Group B looks more competitive than most but it would be a surprise if Atleti and Liverpool failed to progress.

Porto were quarter-finalists last term and have reached the last 16 or better in four of their last five seasons, but they were seeded third and have been dealt a tough hand by the draw.

Milan are one of the traditional heavyweights but look even less equipped than Porto.

The Rossoneri's squad strength has suffered due to an eight-year absence from the Champions League and their fourth seed status is probably an accurate reflection of their chances.

An over-reliance reliance on Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not look healthy with the 39-year-old undergoing knee surgery this summer, and replacement Olivier Giroud may struggle to plug the gap.

The battle for top spot is tough to call but Atleti have added significant extra quality with the signings of Rodrigo De Paul and Antoine Griezman, and may just have the edge over a Liverpool squad which could have done with more of a refresh.

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