2019 sport predictions: the big winners and outside bets

Will Liverpool or Manchester City win the Premier League? Can Serena Williams equal – and break – the record for the most grand slam singles titles in women’s tennis history?

These are just two of the big questions that sports fans will be asking in 2019. No one can predict the sporting future, but we’re going to try.

Here are our 2019 tips for football, cricket, golf, Formula 1, rugby union, tennis and the NFL Super Bowl.

Football predictions

Premier League winners: Liverpool

This season’s race for the Premier League title could be one of the most memorable in history.

Reigning champions Manchester City came into the campaign as the hot favourites to defend their crown but they find themselves playing catch-up against a Liverpool side who are four points clear at the top of the Premier League table after 21 matches.

City’s 2-1 win against Liverpool on 3 January has brought Pep Guardiola’s side right back into the race but come the end of the season we predict Jurgen Klopp and the Anfield faithful to be celebrating a first title since 1990.

According to Oddschecker Liverpool are 5/6 to win the Premier League, City are 7/5 while Tottenham are a 25/1 long-shot.

Uefa Champions League winners: Juventus 
Outside bet: Bayern Munich

While we predict that Liverpool will win the Premier League, we think it will be between Barcelona and Juventus for the Champions League.

How about a Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo final in Madrid on 1 June and for CR7 to win a sixth Champions League title?   

According to the prices on Oddschecker Manchester City are favourites to win the Champions League. But if you don’t think City (18/5), Barca (9/2) or Juve (13/2) will win then Bayern Munich (14/1) look a good shout for an outside bet.

League Cup winners: Manchester City
FA Cup winners: Tottenham

Manchester City are the current holders of the Carabao Cup and we expect them to win the trophy again on 24 February. City face Burton in the two-legged semi-final and the winners of that tie will play either Tottenham or Chelsea.  

Talking of Tottenham, although winning the Premier League looks unlikely in 2019 they will be up for the cups. 

Spurs have not lifted a trophy since winning the League Cup in 2008 but maybe this will be their year? They are awaiting a move to their new stadium in 2019 and we predict Spurs will return to their temporary “home” at Wembley and lift the FA Cup on Saturday 18 May.

Formula 1 predictions

Formula 1 fan Cameron Tait, TheWeek.co.uk’s motoring editor, predicts the 2019 F1 winners. 

• Drivers’ champion: Lewis Hamilton 
• Constructors’ champion: Scuderia Ferrari 
• Surprise package: George Russell and Williams

F1 2019 betting odds

Prices and driver specials according to Sky Bet.

• 2019 drivers’ championship winner: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 10/1; Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 4/1; Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 9/2; Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 9/1; Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 16/1
• Lewis Hamilton to win the 2019 drivers’ championship by 100+ points: 6/1 
• Lando Norris to finish on the podium at any race in 2019: 10/1 
• George Russell to finish on the podium at any race in 2019: 25/1

Cricket predictions

ICC Cricket World Cup winners: India 
Ashes winners: England

It’s a huge year for cricket with the World Cup and the Ashes on the calendar. England will be the hosts for both events and should also be favourites.

The Aussies are still sore from the upheaval of the ball-tampering scandal and will be out to prove that they can retain the urn. Even so we back England to take a closely-fought Ashes series, 3-2 or 2-1.   

In the one-day format England on home soil and the likes of India, Pakistan and Australia should contend for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. India’s balanced team, which includes their superstar skipper Virat Kohli, should give them the edge and the trophy.

2019 Cricket World Cup betting (according to Oddschecker)

• England: 5/2 
• India: 10/3
• Australia: 6/1 
• South Africa: 7/1 
• New Zealand: 10/1  
• Pakistan: 10/1  
• West Indies: 25/1
• Sri Lanka: 40/1 

Rugby union predictions

Rugby World Cup winners: Ireland

You should never bet against New Zealand in rugby union. The All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and 2011 so will be aiming for a third successive victory when the 2019 event is held in Japan.

However, they are beatable and that’s exactly what Ireland proved in November, winning 16-9 in Dublin.

We predict that the Irish will win the Six Nations and then later in the year return with the Webb Ellis Cup after a World Cup triumph in Japan. But expect the Kiwis and England to battle them for it.

Golf predictions

The Masters winner: Rory McIlroy

Just like last year Rory McIlroy is still one Masters win away from a career grand slam of majors. The Northern Irishman says he is now focused on returning to the winner’s circle and contending in the four big tournaments. Americans Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas will be his big rivals, but we believe it’s finally going to be Rory’s year at Augusta.

Tiger Woods: one major win

After his injury issues, the American icon is back and enjoying the game again. But can he add to his 14 major titles? It won’t be easy for Woods but expect him to put up a challenge and go on to win one major in 2019.

Outside bet: Tommy Fleetwood

Fleetwood’s performances at the Ryder Cup alongside European hero Francesco Molinari was a sporting highlight of 2018, so expect big things from the Englishman. Last season he finished second in the US Open and was tied for 12th at the Open Championship, and we predict a major win for Fleetwood in 2019.

Tennis predictions

Women’s tennis

All eyes will again be on Serena Williams as she bids to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slam singles titles. Expect the American, 37, not only to equal that record but to add a second slam in 2019 to move on to an historic quarter-century.

Men’s tennis

His victory at the 2018 ATP Finals in London was the biggest win of Alexander Zverev’s career so far. Can he make the jump and win a grand slam in 2019? Expectations may be too high for the 21-year-old German, so 2020 could be his grand slam year.

World No.1 Novak Djokovic will be the man to beat in 2019. We predict the Serbian star will win two of the four majors.

Legends to retire?

If Serena makes history in 2019 could she bow out of tennis at the top at the end of the season? The same could be said for Swiss star Roger Federer, also 37, who has spent two decades on tour and won 20 grand slams.

NFL predictions

Super Bowl winners: Kansas City Chiefs

The Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs played out an NFL classic as the Rams won 54-51 in November. Could we see a repeat of this match-up at Super Bowl LIII in February?

The New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots will also be among the favourites but we are tipping the Chiefs to beat the Rams in Atlanta in American football’s showpiece fixture.

NFL Super Bowl winners betting odds

Prices according to Oddschecker.

• New Orleans Saints: 5/2 
• Kansas City Chiefs: 4/1
• Los Angeles Rams: 9/2 
• New England Patriots: 13/2 
• Los Angeles Chargers: 12/1 
• Indianapolis Colts: 16/1
• Philadelphia Eagles: 20/1 
• Dallas Cowboys: 22/1 

All prices correct as of 7 January 2019.