Post by Salem6 on Jun 22, 2005 12:09:49 GMT
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United will avoid Europe's top teams if they reach the group stage of the Champions League.
But under Uefa's coefficients system, which are used to calculate each team's seedings, Chelsea will be among the second group of eight seeded teams.
Everton's status means they could face tough opponents in qualfying rounds.
David Moyes' side are ranked 42nd and would be in the fourth and lowest group should they qualify.
Both Everton and Manchester United enter the competition at the third and final qualifying round - but Moyes' teams low ranking means they could face Inter Milan, Sporting Lisbon or even Liverpool to make it into the group stage.
Arsenal and Chelsea have automatically qualified for the group stage.
Bu the seeding system means Chelsea could find themselves in a group with either Real Madrid, AC Milan, Barcelona, Inter Milan or Bayern Munich.
Jose Mourinho's team could even face Liverpool, who have no 'country protection' after being given special admittance into the qualifying rounds of the competition to defend their trophy.
Celtic's strong ranking - 21st in the list - should guarantee them seeding for the second and final qualifying rounds - and Rangers would almost certainly be seeded as well in their qualifying round.
Liverpool have three qualifying rounds to surmount but in each round would be seeded and avoid the strongest opposition teams.
The Champions League draw for the first qualfying round takes place on Friday.
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4118726.stm