At this time of the year, there are many folk offering thoughts as to what will happen in the coming twelve months. And, with 2019 being packed full of sporting excitement, The Racketeer thought it only sensible to add his predictions into the mix; but avoiding politics, business and the like – and focusing on sport (which is surely more important than anything else. So, here goes, with some selections across a range of sports:
Athletics: an easy one to start with, and a host of Ethiopians and Kenyans to win middle / long-distance golds at the World Championships (surely not!), with Dina Asher-Smith surprising a few people outside the UK to win gold at the 100m
Cricket: England to win the Ashes against an Australian side containing a couple of controversial picks; but not to win the World Cup, despite their ranking …… and India to pip them in the final
Cycling: Chris Froome to make it 5 Tour de France titles, while his SKY team-mate Geraint Thomas makes it onto the podium in Paris (and wins another Grand Tour title elsewhere); on the track Laura Kenny to be streets ahead of her rivals, in a multitude of events
Football: Liverpool to finally end their barren streak and win the Premier League; Rangers to break the Celtic stranglehold in Scotland; no-one to care about the Nation’s Cup – unless England win it; and the French ladies to follow in the footsteps of their male counterparts and win the World Cup
Golf: Tiger Woods to not win a major for another year; Tommy Fleetwood to outshine the other half of the “Moliwood” partnership, and win a major; and a Solheim Cup victory for Europe
Tennis: Serena Williams to get a Nobel Peace Prize nomination (just checking to see how many people have read this far down ……); Rafa Nadal to be unbeatable on clay, and not be fit enough to play on any other surface; and Andy Murray to retire from competitive singles
Rugby Union: Whilst Ireland have a great chance in the World Cup, I can’t see them beating the All Blacks; however, when it comes to the Six Nations, it’s the Irish to win, and Italy to claim the Wooden Spoon (again!) to add to their kitchen collection; in England, it will be the Exeter Chiefs winning the league, and Newcastle Falcons falling through the trap-door
More thoughts and predictions throughout the year!
The Racketeer
