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The 2015-16 Champions League group stages reach their third set of matches this week so we are continuing with our reviews of the groups. After focusing on groups A-D a couple of weeks ago this time we feature groups E-H. You can listen to the report by clicking on the link above, and you can also read the transcript of the report (below). There is also explanations of key vocabulary (in bold).Listening Practice: 2015-16 Champions League Preview (Groups E-H)
Group E
Holders Barcelona are many people’s favourites to become the first side since AC Milan back in 1990 to retain the trophy. First, they will need to get out of a group that includes Italian side Roma, German team Bayer Leverkusen and BATE Borisov from Belarus. Now, the Catalan side have four points from their opening two matches and would be expected to take six more from their next two games against the minnows of the group BATE which would put them in pole position to top the group. The other two sides, who face each other twice over the next three weeks, will fight it out for second place and direct qualification to the knockout stages. Prediction: Barcelona and Roma.A
Group F
No surprises to see German champions Bayern Munich topping their group with two wins from two games. They have also won a remarkable ten games in a row in their domestic league so should go through easily. Their next games are against Arsenal and the London club will need something after surprisingly losing against Greek side Olimpiacos and Croatian team Dinamo Zagreb. They face each other this week and both will fancy their chances of upsetting the Premier League side and making it through. I don’t think that’s going to happen though. Prediction: Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
Group G
Group G appeared fairly straightforward for English champions Chelsea at the start of the campaign but after their defeat away at Porto they now need to pick up points in their next two games againstA FC Dynamo Kyiv from the Ukraine. The Blues should do so though it will be tough particularly as they are still finding their form. Israeli side Maccabi make up the group though they are already six points adrift of leaders Porto who they face in the next two matches. Prediction: Porto and Chelsea.
Group H
Russian side FC Zenit lead group H after two wins from their opening matches, including an impressive 3-2 away win at Spanish side Valencia who in turn bounced back to win away at French side Lyon. Valencia’s next two games are against Belgian team Gent so they will expect to have six more points before soon. Zenit should progress as leaders and I think Valencia will come in second and directly qualify for the last 16. Prediction: FC Zenit and Valencia.
These are our predictions for groups E-H, how about yours? Let us know by posting below!
Vocabulary
retain the trophy:A Win the trophy two years in a row
in pole position: First place (from formula one)
will fight it out for second place: Will compete against each other
topping the group: Leading the group
in a row: Consecutively
go through: Qualify
both will fancy their chances: Think the can qualify
upsetting: Causing a surprise
straightforward: Clear and easy (to predict)
the campaign: The current Champions League season
finding their form: Not playing consistently well
six points adrift: Six points behind
bounced back: Came back well
the last 16: The knockout stage
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