Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City will be quite pleased with the results of the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League group stage draw.

The three English clubs fared well in Groups A, E, and F, respectively, while Chelsea and Tottenham were drawn beside Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, respectively.

Juventus and Barcelona were paired up in Group D while Paris Saint-Germain will hope its €222-million investment in Neymar will pay off against Bayern Munich in Group B.

Here’s how we predict the Champions League group stage will pan out:

Group A

Devoid of any meaningful challenger, the Red Devils are all smiles in Group A.

United should cruise to the top of the pile over six matchdays while FC Basel, SL Benfica, and CSKA Moscow battle it out for the second spot. The edge goes to the Portuguese outfit, of course, but CSKA can prove a tricky opponent.

But in the end, Jose Mourinho’s side won’t find too much trouble here.

Predicted finish:

1. Manchester United
2. SL Benfica
3. CSKA Moscow
4. FC Basel

Group B

It’s time for PSG – and Neymar – to shine.

After spending an ungodly amount of money on the Brazilian star (and with reports suggesting a similar investment in Kylian Mbappe is imminent), the Parisian outfit will look to prove any doubters wrong with an early statement against the Bavarian club over two matches.

Celtic comes into the competition on the back of an incredible undefeated domestic campaign and will likely beat Anderlecht to the Europa League spot.

Predicted finish:

1. Paris Saint-Germain
2. Bayern Munich
3. Celtic
4. Anderlecht

Group C

Diego Costa won’t admit it, but he’s likely not rooting for his current employer in Group C, as Chelsea and Atletico Madrid present two different periods of his career. Now stuck in limbo, the Spanish striker has made no secret of his desire to return to Atletico. That said, he’s unlikely to be much of a factor here.

While his fiery nature won’t be on display, there will be plenty of ferocity from managers Antonio Conte and Diego Simeone to make up for it.

AS Roma is one of the big losers of the draw, while Qarabag is just happy to be invited.

Predicted finish:

1. Atletico Madrid
2. Chelsea
3. AS Roma
4. Qarabag

Group D

One of Barcelona or Juventus will top Group D, and for good reason; neither Sporting CP or Olympiacos present much of a threat. Neymar’s absence at Barcelona stunts the team’s triumvirate, but Juventus has a cavity of their own as Leonardo Bonucci now calls AC Milan home.

How the two teams handle their unexpected losses will set the tone for Group D.

Predicted finish:

1. Juventus
2. Barcelona
3. Sporting CP
4. Olympiacos

Group E

Spartak Moscow avoided a lot of the troublesome teams in Pots 2 and 3, though Liverpool and Sevilla aren’t exactly cakewalks. Still, it’s the Russian champion that’s most likely to surprise in Group E.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will have a chance at redemption after its Europa League final loss to Sevilla in 2016, but Monchi’s former side might stumble in its trip to Moscow, and that might prove the difference here.

Maribor? Thanks for coming out.

Predicted finish:

1. Liverpool
2. Spartak Moscow
3. Sevilla
4. Maribor

Group F

Shakhtar Donetsk edges Feyenoord for the Europa League spot, but the real battle will be at the top of the group, where it’s all breezy in Manchester. Pep Guardiola’s side faces competition from free-flowing Napoli.

The Italian club has the attacking firepower to push City all the way in the race for top spot in the section.

Predicted finish:

1. Manchester City
2. Napoli
3. Shakhtar Donetsk
4. Feyenoord

Group G

There’s a lot of young talent in Group G. AS Monaco, FC Porto, and RB Leipzig have each found success by identifying and developing young talent, before selling them for a major profit.

But those talented youngsters still produce exciting football before being sold, giving us an intriguing group that could go a number of ways. Monaco is the favourite – despite losing a collection of stars this summer – but RB Leipzig is more than capable of an upset, while FC Porto and Besiktas always prove tough opposition

Predicted finish:

1. AS Monaco
2. FC Porto
3. RB Leipzig
4. Besiktas

Group H

Rounding out the group stage is Real Madrid, the reigning champion who will be heavily favoured to top the quartet. Poor Tottenham has quite a job on hand as Mauricio Pochettino’s side tries to take points off Borussia Dortmund – Spurs will pray Barcelona signs Ousmane Dembele quickly.

A Real Madrid-Spurs clash offers a reunion for Luka Modric and Gareth Bale but that sentimentality will only extend as far as the opening whistle. As for APOEL? Stunningly, we predict a last-placed finish here.

Predicted finish:

1. Real Madrid
2. Borussia Dortmund
3. Tottenham Hotspur
4. APOEL

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Chicago Bears suspect wide receiver Cameron Meredith injured his left ACL during the first quarter of Sunday’s preseason game at Tennessee, according to coach John Fox.

Meredith was carted off the field after being tackled low by safety Johnathan Cyprien at the end of a 16-yard reception. Meredith’s left leg twisted upon contact as he braced for the hit.

He was writhing in pain for a few minutes before being helped onto a cart with an air cast supporting his left leg.

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  Kevin White has just 19 catches in his career with the Bears, who now are counting on him to play like the first-round pick he was back in 2015.

“You feel bad, obviously,” Fox said. “He’s disappointed. He’ll bounce back.”

Fox said the team will know more about Meredith’s status following an MRI.

The Bears quickly ruled Meredith out for the game, which they won 19-7.

Meredith — a former undrafted free agent — led the Bears with 66 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns last year.

He had missed a portion of the Bears’ offseason program after tearing ligaments in his thumb, but the 6-foot-3 receiver returned for training camp and appeared to develop strong chemistry with starting quarterback Mike Glennon.

Thursday’s Champions League draw served up eight groups of varying difficulty. Some clubs will feel more apprehensive than others about their chances of reaching the knockout round. But UEFA itself can feel happy that there’s plenty of good television to come.

Here are the winners and losers from the day in Monaco:

Winner: Manchester United

The draw treated Manchester United well after a brief hiatus from the competition. As a result of winning last season’s Europa League title, the Red Devils landed a fortunate berth in Pot 2 to avoid, at the very least, the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

And fate dealt United a good hand. By far the favourite ahead of Benfica, FC Basel, and CSKA Moscow, Jose Mourinho’s side has a great chance to enter the Round of 16 as an all-important first-place finisher.

Loser: Tottenham

Related – Champions League group stage draw: PSG meets Bayern, Juve and Barca clash

Things don’t get any easier for Tottenham.

Wracked by a poor record at Wembley Stadium, Spurs now need to win as many points as possible at their temporary home ground to have any hope of advancing to the knockout stage. Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have significant experience in this tournament, and even APOEL Nicosia reached the latter part of the Champions League in recent years.

Tottenham’s progress as a club will be measured by its performances in the Champions League. With a new stadium being built, Spurs have promised the start of a new era. This is their chance to show everyone where they are as a team – or how far they still have to go.

To compound the misery, Mauricio Pochettino’s men must prepare for a daunting two-week stretch at the end of October in which they face Madrid twice, Liverpool, and United.

Winner: Russia

Considering all the available outcomes, Russian sides Spartak Moscow and CSKA Moscow should feel relatively pleased. As the winner of the Russian Premier League, Massimo Carrera’s Spartak side had the luxury of being a top seed, but Pot 2 and 3 still could’ve offered significant obstacles. Against Sevilla, Liverpool, and Maribor in Group D, Spartak can now expect to challenge for at least third place and direct entry into the Europa League’s Round of 32.

For CSKA, the minefield of possibilities was even tougher to navigate. Although they’ve been pitted against United, the Army Men should feel optimistic about taking points at home versus Benfica and Basel. CSKA has lost just two of its past 12 Champions League outings at the Arena Khimki.

Loser: Francesco Totti

The recipient of UEFA’s President Award, Francesco Totti was responsible for selecting the teams for the draw.

Unfortunately for the 40-year-old, he couldn’t bring former club Roma any luck.

The Giallorossi find themselves stuck in one of the proverbial groups of death with Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and faraway Qarabag. On a competitive level, it’s difficult, and even the patsy of the four, Azerbaijani club Qarabag, isn’t necessarily an easy go. Located more than 3,000 kilometres away from Rome, the Baku-based side could surprise Roma, which hasn’t won any of its past seven away matches in the Champions League.

Winner: Liverpool

Liverpool was rewarded for its evisceration of Hoffenheim in the previous play-off round, drawing Spartak, Sevilla, and Maribor. That’s a manageable group for the Anfield outfit, which last booked a ticket to the knockout round in 2009.

Success in the Champions League is vital this season. For the past few years, Liverpool has fought to reclaim its credentials as a top club and attractive destination for elite footballers. The Reds now have an opportunity to make a deep run in the sport’s most prestigious showcase event and boost revenue.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been ruled out of Saturday night’s preseason game in Baltimore with a concussion.

Taylor had entered the concussion protocol after being taken to the locker room during the first quarter.

The QB appeared to fall hard on the back of his head on a third-down sack by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon. Taylor remained on the ground for several moments before coming to his feet and being met by trainers on the field.

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  Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus has been sent home from Baltimore for violating an unspecified team rule, the team confirmed Saturday.