UEFA Champions League draw 2014: Live coverage and analysis of the group stage

With Paris Saint-Germain now one of the richest clubs in the world, it’s quite remarkable to think they’d only won two French titles in their history prior to 1994. They’ve now stormed to the Ligue 1 title two season running, and their outstanding squad means they should be able to make it three. They’ve found European success a little harder to come by, but Laurent Blanc’s side have all the ingredients to be a genuine challenger in the Champions League this time around. With the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thiago Silva and Edinson Cavani in their ranks, it wouldn’t be surprising if they even topped Barcelona in this group.

Ajax are one of the most storied clubs in European football history, having won the Champions League four times. However, they’ve not tasted victory in this competition since 1995, and they no longer look like a genuine challenger. Nevertheless, under the stewardship of bright young coach Frank de Boer, the reigning Eredivisie champions have introduced a host of talented young players into their ranks, including Dutch World Cup stars Jasper Cillessen and Daley Blind. They’re less likely to progress than Barca and PSG, but they may well feel quietly confident of pulling off an upset and squeezing through.

Here we go, here we go, here we go again -- Group E features three of the four teams that competed in Group D last time around. However, in the 2014-2015 version, Viktoria Plzeň are replaced by Roma. Yes, “E” truly stands for “Evil”.

Meanwhile, CSKA Moscow players are probably going to start having some traumatic flashbacks right about now, what with their getting just three points last season and having 17 goals put in against them. Having an even tougher group this year certainly won’t help them sleep better at night.

Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal were part of a fairly impressive three-way duel in the group stages last season which ultimately saw both teams through (by the skins of their teeth) to the knockout round. And now they meet again in similar circumstances. While there’s no Napoli in this group to push them all the way this time, Galatasaray represent strong opposition for both and Anderlecht are a worrying fourth-tier side -- it’s not going to be plain sailing for either.

Still, both will expect to get out of Group D, and the biggest question will be who manages to finish first. It’s a close call ...

The most competitive group in the UEFA Champions League group stage is going to be Group C, which has no superpower and no minnow. Every single team in the group has the ability to finish top or finish last. Predicting what’s going to happen based on knowledge of these teams isn’t going to be much more helpful than just picking the names out of a hat.

Last season’s disappointing campaign led to a change in managers for Zenit St. Petersburg, and so far, it’s been a positive change. Andre Villas-Boas got off to a great start with his new club last season, guided them to a Champions League place and currently has them top of the table in Russia. Zenit’s most recognizable stars are back, and they’re joined by new recruits Javi Garcia and Ezequiel Garay, who should both improve them defensively.

A fairly straightforward group this one, and it falls neatly into a one, two, three and four. But that’s not to say there isn’t going to be some fun here: Both Madrid-Liverpool games promise to be excellent, and Basel will be hoping to bloody a couple of noses. Pity poor Ludogorets, however. Their first Champions League adventure could be short and painful.

Back in the big time after five years, Liverpool’s captain Steven Gerrard wanted Real Madrid, and he got his wish. The departure of Luis Suarez robs them of the kind of firepower they’d need to unseat Real from the top of the group, but they still have plenty of goals about them, and the five-time winners should slot neatly into second place. Expect them to be a handful at home, where their fans will revel in the return of European football, though their defence could well get found out in Spain. Oh, and Mario Balotelli against Pepe is going to be fun.

The last side in Group A is Swedish outfit Malmö FF, who comfortably saw off Red Bull Salzburg in the playoffs to make the group stage. They may be reigning champions in the Allsvenskan, but it’s difficult to envisage Åge Hareide’s side picking up any points at all in such a tough group. If they do avoid a big fat zero, their European campaign should be considered a success.

The UEFA Champions League draw gets underway at 5:45 p.m. local time, 11:45 a.m. ET from Monaco, and will set the 32 teams remaining in the competition into eight groups. They’ll play each other home and away, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout round of the competition. Here, you can see the results of the draw unfold.

Teams have been arranged into four pots based on their UEFA coefficient. One team will be drawn from each pot to make up the groups. Two teams from the same country cannot be drawn into the same group, and no more than two teams from each country can play on the same matchday. You can find the pots and rules here.

It’s time for the draw to determine who faces whom in the group stage of the 2014-2015 UEFA Champions League. Nervous about the opposition your team will be up against? Simply excited for the kick-off to one of the biggest sporting events on the planet?

Well, the actual group stage matches won’t begin until Tuesday, September 16, but that doesn’t mean you can’t tune in for the draw. It’s held Thursday, August 28 in Monaco, and it’s sure to be a glitzy, glamorous, thrilling affair.