Who escapes the Champions League 'Group of Death'? Predicting PSG, Newcastle, Milan, or Dortmund to progress

The term 'Group of Death' has been widely applied to each year's toughest four-team collection in European and international football, but this year it seems to have been ratcheted up to a new level.

The Champions League group stage usually provides a fair amount of exciting top-tier matchups, but rarely does a group look top-to-bottom like such a gauntlet as Group F in the 2023/24 competition, which boasts PSG, Newcastle, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund.

To create such a collection of difficult opponents, the universe truly had to conspire in a combination of ways.

Newcastle's presence in Pot 4 of this year's draw was thought to present challenges for wherever they landed, but it seems they are just the tip of the iceberg. AC Milan, who reached last year's semifinal and won the Scudetto two seasons ago, were also clearly the most difficult of the Pot 3 teams, meaning this year's group came together as a perfect storm of draw debauchery.

The Sporting News takes a look at how the group could play out with everything up for grabs.

A full review of all 2023/24 Champions League group stage predictions

PSG are considered the favorites to win Group F before play begins, as the presence of Kylian Mbappe takes them top of the list. Yet they have significant competition from below.

Newcastle, the Pot 4 club, are thought to be second-favorites to advance, given their rise up the Premier League echelons in recent years under Saudi ownership. AC Milan are also given a good chance to reach the knockout stage after last year's showing in the semifinal.

Finally, Borussia Dortmund are expected to bring up the rear, but only just, as they themselves challenged hard for the Bundesliga title last year and retain most of their squad minus the