Jeff beat me to it, but for what its worth, here are my predictions for 2011.

I think Will’s predictions are pretty much in line with what I think will happen in the coming year (the politics ones, not the sports ones so much) but given I’ve tried my hand at predictions every blogging year, I figured this should be no exception.  So, let’s get to them.

AV referendum: No vote, by 65% to 35%.  It isn’t something anyone wants, and the lack of popularity of the only party who vaguely support it will bring the vote down.  I suspect a higher turnout in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – but I also foresee a sizeable number of spoilt ballots, whether through intention (Bella Caledonia’s campaign) or by mistake simply because it will be held on the same day as the devolved legislatures.

Welsh Powers referendum: Yes vote, by 58% to 42%.  I think it’ll be a comfortable-ish victory for pro-devolutionalists, though they will have to work hard over the course of the campaign.

Scottish Parliament election: Labour ending the night as the largest party, but we’ll have to wait a few days at the least to work out who will form our next government.  Have a look at Will’s comments regarding numbers, which make it difficult to predict who will be in a position to negotiate coalition and/or confidence and supply positions, but I suspect we will have limited options given numbers (requirement to reach 65 combined seats) and ideological reasons (SNP have rules against working with the Tories at national level; Labour and Tories ideologically opposed).  So, potential outcomes are: Labour minority, confidence & supply deal between Labour and SNP, confidence and supply deal including SNP, Tories and Greens.  The last one sounds like a stretch, so I think my money is currently on minority Labour… which if it happens, might not last that long.

In terms of post-election stuff, new leaders for the SNP (Nicola Sturgeon to comfortably emerge from the contest ahead of Kenny MacAskill, Mike Russell and a surprising candidate) and the Conservatives (the lack of Derek Brownlee returning to Holyrood means I’m with Jeff on Murdo Fraser taking over the reigns here – though I have a hunch Elizabeth Smith may have a shot at it as well).  I do think if Iain Gray is FM, Salmond will take a short period as leader of the opposition before riding off into the sunset… though if (and its a big if) there is any kind of agreement between the SNP and Labour, it may hinge on his pseudo-retirement (ie – no longer being leader).  But that’s a long shot.

At Westminster, the coalition will blunder on, the Dave and Nick show surviving another year with more protests at cuts to, well, everything.  But when the economy starts to turn, people start to be less noisy about it.  At least, that’s what they are hoping for, right?

Sporting predictions:

Football: I think Celtic will take advantage of Rangers hectic schedule (and the fact they have a bigger and better squad) and win the SPL in Neil Lennon’s first year in charge. Hearts a lock for third while Edinburgh rivals Hibs are the shock side relegated, with Gordon Brown’s Raith Rovers replacing them in the top flight. Rangers get the League Cup (Smith’s final trophy) and Hearts the Scottish Cup.

In England, I can’t see past Man Utd for the Premiership, ahead of Arsenal, Man City and Spurs. Chelsea will make the Europa League in fifth, and probably win the FA Cup to not quite make up for a disappointing season. Relegations: West Ham, West Brom and… Fulham.  Barcelona for the Champions League.

Rugby: France for the Six Nations, but no Grand Slam this year.  Optimistically, Scotland to finish second.  Rugby World Cup… New Zealand to finally achieve their potential. And if we get through our group as winners… well, notch us up as Bronze medalists.  Is that optimistic enough?

Tennis: Well it’s time isn’t it? (what do you mean “It’s time” was four years ago?).  Andy Murray will finally win a Grand Slam.  But he’ll have to wait until the last one of the year – the US Open.  Though he will reach the final in Australia and at Wimbledon.  Honest.  And he’ll end the year as #3 in the world, behind Nadal and Federer.