UCL Draw: Breaking down Tottenham’s group stage opponents

After their final defeat to Liverpool last season, Tottenham will be looking to go one better this time out. A much more favourable draw compared to last season should work in their favour, but the same was said two years ago as Spurs failed to navigate the group stage. Bayern are the obvious high-profile opponents, but Crvena Zvezda proved last season that anything is possible as they beat eventual winners Liverpool 2-0 on home turf. 

Opponent: Bayern Munich 

Best UCL Finish: Winners 

Last UCL Finish: Last-16 

Odds to Win: 13.0 (Various) 

Route to the Champions League: Bundesliga Champions 

Biggest Threat: Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski recently penned a new deal for Bayern Munich and his goalscoring record is nigh-on unrivalled at both domestic and continental level. Since the start of the 2010/11 Bundesliga campaign, the Polish powerhouse has bagged a whopping 207 goals and given Tottenham’s defensive shortcomings this term - they are yet to keep a clean sheet this season - Lewandowski should be excited at the prospect of facing the Premier League outfit.

Opponent: Olympiacos

Best UCL Finish: Last-16

Last UCL Finish: Group Stage (2017/18)

Odds to Win: 1001.0 (BetVictor / BetFred)

Route to the Champions League: Qualifying

Biggest Threat: Mathieu Valbuena

The pint-sized creator may be entering the twilight years of his career, but Mathieu Valbuena is one who can pry apart a defence in the blink of an eye. The 34-year-old’s experience will be vital for the Greek side as they look to secure their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League and go one better than their previous last-16 best.

Opponent: Crvena Zvezda

Best UCL Finish: Group Stage

Last UCL Finish: Group Stage

Odds to Win: 1501.0 (BetVictor)

Route to the Champions League: Qualifying

Biggest Threat: Marko Marin

Premier League fans will be well-versed in Marko Marin, even accounting for an uninspiring spell with Chelsea, and the well travelled attacker, who previously played with Tottenham’s other group opponents Olympiacos, will hope to better last season’s group stage finish and knock out one of Europe’s heavyweight sides in the process. He netted once in Crvena Zvezda’s qualifying matches and a failure to keep Marin in check will impact Spurs and their other opponents.