MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- With nine different winners in the last 11 years, no one could ever accuse the Champions League of being predictable.
It does appear, however, that an established ''Big 4'' has been created in Europe's premier club competition - and this year's group stage backs up the theory.
Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, the last four winners of European soccer's top prize, were the top teams in group play, which finished Wednesday. In each of the last three seasons, at least three of that quartet has reached the semifinals of the Champions League. Madrid and Barcelona did so in 2011, too.
So, heading into the knockout stage that kicks off in February, it would be a big surprise if this season's champion didn't come from this small pool of juggernauts - teams who currently are playing football at another level to the rest.
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