Champions League Group F Preview: Who'll progress alongside group favourites Dortmund?

Now over the halfway point of the 2020/21 Champions League group stage, Group F is one to keep an eye on given its relative unpredictability. 

Borussia Dortmund should finish top here, but it's up for grabs as to who joins them in the next round of the Champions League. 

Lazio are favourites, but Zenit St. Petersburg are not to be underestimated. Club Brugge have also started the season strongly and will hope to transfer their league form to the Champions Legaue. 

As is the theme of these pieces, we have picked out the players to watch from Group F and also predicted where we expect each team to finish. 

BORUSSIA DORTMUND 

Key Player: Erling Haaland

In the race for the Bundesliga's Golden Boot, Robert Lewandowski predictably leads the way but Erling Haaland is not to be ruled out. The Norwegian has four goals and an additional two assists to his name in Germany's top tier this term, while only Lewandowski (15) scored more Champions League goals than Haaland (10) last season, and he'll again be incredibly important for Borussia Dortmund. 

One To Watch: Giovanni Reyna

Having started just twice in the Bundesliga last season, Giovanni Reyna is a first team regular for Lucien Favre's side this time around. Much of the recent focus for Borussia Dortmund has been the speculation surrounding Jadon Sancho, which has seen Reyna's rise to relative stardom sneak under the radar. The American already has three assists to his name in 2020/21; only Thomas Muller (4) has more in the Bundesliga. 

Group Prediction: 1st

Borussia Dortmund have only failed to make it out of the group stages once in their last seven attempts. Lazio pose the biggest threat for Dortmund, but they get their trip to Italy out of the way early and even if they do struggle in Rome, BVB remain favourites to top their group. 

LAZIO 

Key Player: Ciro Immobile

Borussia Dortmund aren't the only side in Group F with a goalscoring machine spearheading the offensive. Former Dortmund man Ciro Immobile topped the scoring charts in Europe's top five leagues last season, netting 36 times for the Serie A side, and his knack for finding the back of the net is vital if Lazio are to secure a place in the next round of the Champions League. 

One To Watch: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

A couple of years ago, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was tipped for the very top. In recent seasons, though, the Serb has dropped a little out of the spotlight despite Lazio's good showings in Italy, but he has made a solid start to the campaign. In his first ever season in the Champions League, it's the ideal opportunity to prove himself on the biggest stage. 

Group Prediction: 2nd

It's not been a great start to the season for Lazio, who are stuck in the bottom half of the Serie A table. Yet the Rome giants have plenty of quality in the squad and while they may not get the better of Dortmund, they should have enough to finish second. 

ZENIT 

Key Player: Artem Dzyuba

The towering striker has been a consistent force on the Zenit frontline in recent seasons. Having registered double figures for both goals (17) and assists (12) in the Russian Premier League last season, the only player to do so, Artem Dzyuba has made a fine start to the campaign, netting six and providing three assists in his opening 10 league outings as Zenit seek to progress beyond the group stages. 

One To Watch: Malcom

Malcom initially struggled on the back of his arrival from Barcelona, but has been a key man for the Russian outfit this term. One goal and one assist may not tell the full story for the Brazilian, who ranks highly for both dribbles (22) and key passes (18) in Russia's top tier, and he'll relish the opportunity to ply his trade in the Champions League this season. 

Group Prediction: 3rd

Few teams will fancy a trip to Russia as the months turn colder and the welcome of Borussia Dortmund in mid-December could play into Zenit's hands. However, their away form has been indifferent to say the least this term and could prove their undoing. 

CLUB BRUGGE 

Key Player: Hans Vanaken

Club Brugge top the Jupiler Pro League coming into the first round of Champions League games with vice-captain Hans Vanaken putting in a number of stunning shifts from midfield. The Belgian has five goals and three assists to his name from nine appearances in league competition thus far and his European experience will be of the utmost important for the Blue-Black as they aim to avoid falling at the first hurdle. 

One To Watch: Krepin Diatta

Having scored six league goals in 2019/20, Krepin Diatta is already one away from matching that return this season. The 21-year-old has five league goals from eight appearances in 2020/21, but the question is whether he can keep that form going in Europe. Diatta has experience in the competition, scoring once last season, but he'll need to replicate his club showings to help Club Brugge past Dortmund, Lazio and Zenit. 

Group Prediction: 4th

Club Brugge come into their first group stage game with one hand tied behind their back. Simon Mignolet, Odilon Kossounou and Michal Krmencik have all tested positive for COVID-19 and miss out and with a tough trip to Zenit looming, they're likely to struggle in Russia, and in the group overall.