Group B - Raul will fire Schalke through

Champions League Group B may be lacking any indisputable modern day European giants but with three of the clubs difficult to separate, the battle for the two last 16 spots promises to be very intriguing.

The group winner market shows how close it could be, with top seeds Lyon marginal [2.7] favourites, just ahead of Benfica ([3.15]) and Schalke ([3.35]), while predicted whipping boys Hapoel Tel-Aviv are rank outsiders at [14.5].

Lyon have reached the knockout rounds in each of the last seven seasons so, despite being forced to settle for second in the last three campaigns, appear near certainties to qualify at [1.44], even if they don't do so in first place.

That leaves Portuguese champions Benfica and surprise German runners-up Schalke likely to fight it out to join them in the post-Christmas glamour stages and of the duo, the Bundesliga team have enjoyed the more productive summer.

Whereas Benfica lost key men Ramires and Angel Di Maria, Schalke strengthened after last season's success, the most high-profile arrivals being all-time Champions League leading goalscorer Raul and Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who scored five goals in two games for his country this week.

The fixture list hasn't been kind to Felix Magath's side, who made the last eight in 2007-08, as they begin away to Lyon and finish with a trip to face Benfica, however our hunch is that they will go through with last season's semi-finalists, potentially even as group winners at [3.35].

Schalke's poor start to the new term, suffering league defeats to Hamburg and Hannover, could be viewed as a reason for doubt, yet no club in this group has got off to a flyer - Lyon are 17th, Benfica are 11th and Hapoel lost their opener. At least Schalke have the excuse of new signings settling in.

Who do you expect to see qualify for the latter stages? Tell us below...

Published: 8 Sep 2010