OPINION: Newshub's panel of experts peek into the crystal ball to see what 2020 holds in store for us, including more heartache for the All Blacks...
STEVEN ADAMS TO HELP TALL BLACKS QUALIFY FOR OLYMPICS
The big Kiwi has spurned the national team throughout his NBA career, but has always insisted he would don the black singlet when the time was right.
With Oklahoma City Thunder unlikely to make the playoffs, old Wellington Saints mentor Pero Cameron will convince his former protégé to accept the black singlet for the first time.
With Adams on board, the Tall Blacks will defeat Serbia to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, where the seven-foot centre will join sister Dame Valerie in the wider New Zealand team.
The Kiwis will progress through pool play, but eventually lose to the Australian Boomers in quarter-finals.
Of course, if Adams gets traded to the Boston Celtics, all bets are off.
ROBBIE MANSON TO MEDAL AT TOKYO OLYMPICS
New Zealand enjoys a proud record in single sculls rowing, through the past exploits of Eric Verdonk, Rob Waddell and Mahe Drysdale, but our latest hope has struggled to produce on the big occasions.
Manson still holds the world's best time over 2000m, but after failing to reach the world championship final again this year, his future looked bleak, with Drysdale, 41, still intent on reclaiming his seat.
The crystal ball says Manson will break out of his funk to beat Drysdale for the Olympic berth and climb the podium - perhaps bronze - to restore his reputation.
Grant Chapman, Newshub online sports editor
STEVE SMITH TO REGAIN AUSTRALIAN TEST CAPTAIN
Stand-in skipper Tim Paine has done a stellar job with a team vilified by the cricketing world and without its two best batsmen.
But Paine is not overly tidy behind the stumps and has yet to score a first-class 100 in a decade-long career. Alex Carey is scoring 100's for fun in domestic cricket and his glovework is superb.
It's just a matter of time before the powers that be say, 'Thanks for your service, Tim'.
WALLABIES TO BREAK BLEDISLOE CUP DROUGHT
Not since 2002 has an Australian captain had the privilege of lifting the trans-Tasman trophy, but that will change in 2020.
Former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie will inspire a re-motivated Wallabies side full of potential to achieve a clean sweep of test match victories over the rebuilding All Blacks, struggling under the untested leadership of a new captain and coach.
DEONTAY WILDER TO WIN UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
The WBC boxing champ will decimate Tyson Fury in February, run through Dillian Whyte in May and then proceed to call out Anthony Joshua for a unification fight - but that's not who he will be facing in November.
You see, Joshua will successfully defend his title against Kubrat Pulev on March, but will fall to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia a week after Wilder beats Whyte.
In Ivan Drago style, Usyk will call out the American and invite him to the Ukraine for the 'Ultimate Challenge'. At the press conference, Usyk will calmly stare a hole through Wilder and quip: "Ven we fight, you vill die."
Wilder will strut to the ring, wearing red, white and blue, punch Usyk in the face, and add the WBO, WBA and IBF to his WBC heavyweight title.
Brad Lewis, Fight Club & The Cup19 podcast producer
LUKA DONCIC TO WIN NBA'S REGULAR SEASON MVP IN 2020/21
Although we're barely a quarter of the way through the 2019/20 NBA season, the Slovenian sensation has already proved that his historically good rookie year was no fluke, with a sophomore campaign that's left even his most ardent supporters stunned.
At the time of writing, Doncic had posted per-game averages of 30 points, nine assists, and almost 10 rebounds - up an entire two rebounds, three assists and NINE points on his rookie year.
And all on essentially an identical number of minutes over 23 games.
With his other-worldy court-vision, high on-court IQ, underrated athleticism and silky stroke, the kid is the best show in basketball right now.
He's already a top-five MVP candidate and while it's unlikely to happen at the end of this season, don't be surprised if he makes another enormous leap in his third year to claim the NBA's most prestigious individual honour.
Stephen Foote, Newshub online sports producer
TIGER WOODS TO REGAIN WORLD NO.1 RANKING
After a mammoth 2019 that included his 15th Major win, the big cat will add a 16th string to his bow and reclaim the top ranking for the first time since 2014.
Luke Robinson, Newshub online sports producer
LIVERPOOL TO WIN PREMIER LEAGUE/CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DOUBLE
Jurgen Klopp has the Reds on a roll and, importantly, winning games when they're not at their best.
Their ability to grind out games has become a hallmark of the team, in both European and domestic competition. Their lead at the top of the Premier League is slowly growing, with history in their sights.
As for Europe, anyone who's familiar with the club's history in the Champions League wouldn’t rule out another miracle.
James Regan, Newshub sports reporter
SCOTLAND TO BEAT ALL BLACKS
Last year, one of my fearless predictions was that Scotland would beat the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals... clearly that didn't happen, as the Scots didn't even make the knockout stages.
Luckily, Scotland have two confirmed opportunities against the All Blacks in 2020 - July 18 in Dunedin and November 20 in Edinburgh.
As a Scottich rugby fan, this prediction is heart-over-head, but Gregor Townsend's side (if he's still around) will beat New Zealand in one of these two fixtures.
The All Blacks face lots of unknowns in 2020 - a new coaching staff, along with a youthful NZ team, will be up against a Scotland side determined to show they're no joke.
WARRIORS TO MAKE NRL PLAYOFFS
Yes, this was another fearless prediction last year - that the Warriors would make the top eight, even without Shaun Johnson.
That also proved fruitless - blame the referees for their many bad calls - but let's go out on a limb here and say the Warriors will bounce back.
Owner Mark Robinson has put EVERYONE at the club on notice. There is no excuse not to perform in 2020, otherwise more people will find themselves without a job.
Ben Francis, Newshub online sports producer
