Simulated Champions League group stage draw: Manchester City face hostile trio, as Arsenal, Newcastle, and Manchester United find out their fate

The group stage of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League sees Manchester City enter the tournament defending Europe’s top prize for the very first time.

Full details on the UEFA Champions League group stage draw, including how to watch the procedure take place live and when proceedings will commence on Thursday evening, can be found below.

Ahead of the much-anticipated draw of Europe’s premier club competition, City Xtra simulated the group stage ahead of the actual event in Munich, which is due to start on Thursday at 17:00 (UK).

In our simulation, three clubs played Manchester City, which would probably give Pep Guardiola and his players one of the most hostile stadium atmospheres in today’s game.

Elsewhere and Newcastle United faced a tough test for their return to Europe’s top flight when they met Bayern Munich in the first leg of the tournament, while Manchester United were level with Barcelona in their group.

Simulated UEFA Champions League group stage draw

Group A: SSC Napoli, FC Porto, Red Bull Salzburg, Real Sociedad

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Internazionale, PSV Eindhoven, Union Berlin

Group C: FC Barcelona, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Royal Antwerp

Group D: Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, SC Braga, Newcastle United

Group E: Feyenoord, Real Madrid, AC Milan, RC Lens

Group F: Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Celtic

Group G: Sevilla, Arsenal, Lazio, Galatasaray

Group H: Benfica, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, BSC Young Boys

When is the UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw?

The draw for the UEFA Champions League Group Stages takes place on Thursday 31st August at 17:00 BST live from Monaco.

How can I watch the UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw?

The UEFA Champions League draw will be live on TNT Sports for viewers in the United Kingdom and will also be streamed on the UEFA website.

City Xtra will also have live updates across their Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages, as well as live coverage and reaction on YouTube!

When are Group Stage matches scheduled to be played?

Matchday 1: 19/20 September 2023
Matchday 2: 3/4 October 2023
Matchday 3: 24/25 October 2023
Matchday 4: 7/8 November 2023
Matchday 5: 28/29 November 2023
Matchday 6: 12/13 December 2023

What are the pot allocations for UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw?

Pot One: Manchester City, Sevilla, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Feyenoord.

Pot Two: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Porto, Arsenal.

Pot Three: Shakhtar Donetsk, Red Bull Salzburg, AC Milan, Lazio, Red Star Belgrade, Braga, FC Copenhagen, PSV Eindhoven.

Pot Four: Young Boys, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Celtic, Newcastle United, Union Berlin, Antwerp, Lens.

Can Manchester City play English opposition?

Manchester City are unable to face English opposition until the quarter-final stages, with other competing clubs also restricted from playing teams within their respective domestic league.

Who are Manchester City’s potential opponents?

Pot Two: Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Porto.

Pot Three: Shakhtar Donetsk, Red Bull Salzburg, AC Milan, Lazio, Red Star Belgrade, Braga, FC Copenhagen, PSV Eindhoven.

Pot Four: Young Boys, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Celtic, Union Berlin, Antwerp, Lens.