Champions League 2023/24: Groups, fixture dates and who are favourites?

Manchester City begin the defence of their Champions League title this week as the group stage gets under way.

Pep Guardiola’s side are joined by Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle from the Premier League, with the latter making their return after a 20-year absence.

Scottish champions Celtic are playing in the group stage for the second successive season.

Here’s all the key information about the 2023-24 Champions League.

Who has the toughest Champions League group?

Newcastle have been drawn in a tricky Group F alongside French champions Paris St-Germain, Italian giants AC Milan and former Champions League winners Borussia Dortmund.

City will fancy their chances of qualifying from Group G with little difficulty as they face RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys.

Celtic have what appears on paper to be a favourable group featuring Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio.

The obvious concern for United are German giants Bayern Munich. But, with FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray also in Group A, United will feel they have enough to go through.

Arsenal are up against Europa League winners Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Lens.