The Champions League is back and the Premier League appears set to enjoy a period of dominance after Liverpool and Tottenham met in last year’s final.
It was the Reds’ second successive final, while Manchester City enter this year’s tournament as favourites.
Chelsea, perhaps, could be the most vulnerable of the quartet after clinching their return following a one-year hiatus after winning the Europa League and finishing third in the league.
But it is Spurs who face the daunting prospect of drawing one of Europe’s super clubs in pot one due to being placed in pot two, with Juventus, Bayern Munich, PSG and Barcelona all potential opponents.
They’ll hope for Zenit Saint Petersburg though as seemingly the only side beneath their level on paper.
But Mauricio Pochettino’s side could still face a tricky task in merely returning to the knock-out stage, let alone next year’s final in Istanbul.
That’s because Inter Milan, reinvigorated under Antonio Conte and strengthened by the addition of Romelu Lukaku and others, are in pot three.
Spurs edged the Nerazzurri last season by the slimmest of margins, advancing on head-to-head away goals as runners-up in Group B.
Galatasaray are the side most hope to avoid from pot four.
The holders Liverpool, along with Manchester City and Chelsea could face Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund from pot two.
Diego Simeone‘s side would likely cause Chelsea the most trouble, due to their expansive style, currently lacking in cohesion, something Atletico have possessed for years.
While Dortmund’s style might pose City the most problems and test whether Rodri has been fully integrated in Pep Guardiola’s side following his move from Atletico this summer to upgrade on Fernandinho.
You can follow the draw live as it happens on Independent Sport, with the full details to be found here with the final places up for grabs in Tuesday and Wednesday’s play-off round.
