Our Newshub panel of experts stare into the crystal ball for some huge early calls on 2019 sporting highlights.
Henry Rounce (Newshub sports reporter): David Warner and Steve Smith lead Australia to victory at the Cricket World Cup
The infamous 'tape-gate' trio have been plying their trade in grade cricket, a world away from their exploits in South Africa.
Warner and Smith are set to return in March, setting them up perfectly to star in the World Cup at the end of May.
The Aussies are never more dangerous than when they have their backs against the wall, and with all the attention and pressure on them, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Warner and Smith lead them to victory.
The stage is set for one heck of a redemption story.
Luke Robinson (Newshub online sports producer): 76ers win the NBA Championship
With the addition of four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, Philadelphia rounds off what will become the best 'Big Three' in the East and the second-best in the league, behind the champion Golden State Warriors.
The Sixers have a genuine top-three big man in Joel Embiid, one of the league's best playmakers in Ben Simmons and now a legitimate mid-range scorer, as well as a fantastic two-way player in Butler.
Complementing those players is the long-range shooting of JJ Redick and the experience of forward Wilson Chandler.
It won't be easy, but if they can get past the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics, then a likely date with the Warriors is on.
Warriors vs 76ers in the NBA finals, Philly in six.
Butler for MVP.
HR: Steven Adams plays for the Tall Blacks at the Basketball World Cup
Possibly the most asked question in New Zealand sport, NBA star Steven Adams has shown no sign of pulling on the Tall Blacks singlet anytime soon.
But perhaps the World Cup in August is his time. Add the big-man into the mix and New Zealand would have a team capable of causing a fright in China.
Grant Chapman (Newshub online sports editor): Adams available for the Tall Blacks, but told 'no thanks'
Let's make this clear - I'd love our star NBA centre to finally pull on the black singlet for next year's World Cup.
But part of me also hates the idea of him simply walking into that team without earning his spot.
If he brings the right attitude, without personal agendas or grudges, Adams would undoubtedly make the Tall Blacks a better team and one capable of springing a few surprises in China.
But coach Paul Henare will have a tough enough task narrowing down his roster from the players that have wholeheartedly supported the qualifying process through Asia.
If Adams were to put up his hand, without showing the slightest interest in the build-up games, that loyalty would be tested to the hilt.
Richard Wain (Newshub sports reporter): Both Roger Federer and Tiger Woods win another Major - at least
Sure, it probably won't happen, but how good would that be?
Woods winning his first PGA title since 2013 was pretty exciting, so adding his 15th Major (or more) would be epic.
And as a mad Federer fan, I'd give just about anything for the old man to keep putting some distance between him and Rafael Nadal (and Novak Djokovic).
A ninth Wimbledon title would be delicious - more history - while a seventh Australian Open would put him outright first in that stat too (and keep it out of Djokovic's clutches for another year anyway).
HR: Shaun Johnson wins Dally M medal
The Warriors scapegoat is now a Shark, after a high-profile NRL move to the 'Shire'.
Away from the spotlight in New Zealand, Johnson has the chance to hit the ground running and reach new heights across the ditch.
So many players have gone to another level after leaving Mt Smart, could the Kiwis half be the next?
Ben Francis (Newshub online sports producer): Warriors succeed without Shaun Johnson
While many people think the Warriors will miss out on the finals next year without Shaun Johnson, I can see them still finishing in the top eight.
They have kept the bulk of their squad from last year, which is key for their success, and they can only learn from their failings in 2018.
Since Cameron George came on board, the Warriors management - including experienced coach Brain Smith - has made some tough calls, but they have helped grow the culture, and handed the team to star fullback and captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
They might not finish ahead of the Sharks - Johnson's new team - but things are looking bright and positive for the Warriors moving forward.
GC: Kiwi George Bennett finishes top five at Tour de France
Cycling's Grand Tours haven't been this interesting since Lance Armstrong and that's because Bennett is keeping a nation engaged with his exploits in the peleton.
The Nelson lad is undergoing a painful education at the sport's top level, but has emerged as more than just a tourist through France, Italy and Spain.
This year, he recorded New Zealand's best-ever overall result in a Grand Tour - his eighth place at the Giro d'Italia bettered his 10th at the 2016 Vuelta a España.
He's shown other glimpses of greatness along the way, winning the second-tier Tour of California last year, and rising to the top 10 at France (2017) and Spain (2018), before his body betrayed him.
Bennett will have learned from those experiences and most importantly, he seems to have the confidence of his LottoNL-Jumbo team to support his general classification aspirations.
Could this be the year he steps up to the next level?
BF: Scotland beat the All Blacks at next year's World Cup… somehow, someway
Last time these two teams met, an almost second-string Scotland side came close to a historic upset against NZ and would have likely won, if not for Beauden Barrett's clutch tackle on Stuart Hogg.
This prediction is heart-over-head, being a Scottish rugby fan, but the time has come for the Scots to taste victory, after they were controversially eliminated from the last World Cup by he who must not be named (yes you, Craig Joubert) .
If they both negotiate pool play successfully, Scotland and New Zealand could meet in the quarter-finals - or the final.
GC: All Blacks won't win the Rugby World Cup
If Scotland do beat New Zealand in Japan next year, this prediction won't really seem that fearless - but it doesn't necessarily have to be the Scots.
Despite - or perhaps because of - their successive victories at the previous two tournaments, the All Blacks will struggle to come out on top again, with Ireland, England and South Africa breathing down their necks.
No-one else has ever defended the Webb Ellis Cup - so it stands to reason no-one has ever completed three in a row.
That record won't end here.
Newshub.
