Champions League draw results 2017: Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur in Group H

Title holders Real Madrid have been handed a tough Champions League draw, with Zinedine Zidane’s men placed in Group H alongside Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur. All three sides have designs on making it into the knockout stages, meaning one will be left very disappointed come December’s last 16 draw. However, arguably the most unfortunate team to be placed in Group H is Cyprus’ APOEL Nicosia, who will surely be bringing up the rear in fourth place.

Most teams in Madrid’s position would be rather apprehensive at the prospect of facing Dortmund and Spurs, but this is Madrid we’re talking about. It’s a more difficult group than they’d have liked, undoubtedly, but they just don’t slip up in Europe. They’re hoping to win this tournament for the third time in a row, and, spearheaded by the age-defying Cristiano Ronaldo, they should still be able to make it through to the knockout stages as group winners.

Real Madrid

Borussia Dortmund

Tottenham Hotspur

APOEL Nicosia

Well, we’ll level with you, we’re not quite sure, though we reckon it’s probably not APOEL Nicosia. Borussia Dortmund are more accustomed to competing in the Champions League than Spurs, but last season Mauricio Pochettino’s side pushed Chelsea reasonably hard for the Premier League title. They’re looking particularly strong at the moment, and should certainly be competitive.

However, while both Dortmund and Spurs are more than capable of turning in world-class performances, they lack the consistency of the truly elite sides. Perhaps the most interesting games in this group will be those between the two, as Madrid — surely the strongest team on the continent at present — should ultimately have too much for both of them.

Real Madrid to progress as group winners, and APOEL to finish on no points. As for the two spots in between, we’ll leave them for you to fill in at home.