As 2022 comes to a close, it is time to look on to 2023 and on to a new year of sports, entertainment, and drama. In this article, I will be throwing out some of my predictions for various major events that will be taking place this year. 

NBA Champions: Boston Celtics 

Call me biased and uncreative all you want, but I don't really care. This is a prediction that I don’t only think will happen, but also needs to happen. Just falling short to the Golden State Warriors last season, the Celtics look even better this season, and I think championship number 18 is theirs for the taking. The NBA season is long, but the Celtics currently sit with the best record in the NBA, and have the luxury of the best duo in the league with MVP leader Jayston Tatum and certified all star Jaylen Brown. The Celtics are my pick for the NBA championship in 2023. 

Premier League Champions: Arsenal

All the way back in August 2022, at the beginning of the Premier League season, there were many doubts surrounding Arsenal, their thin and young squad, and their inexperienced coach, Mikel Arteta.

However, as this season has gone on, Arteta and Arsenal have proved everyone wrong, winning 14 of their 16 games and building themselves a comfortable 7 point gap in front of favorites Manchester City at the time of writing (January 5th). Their lack of squad depth does worry me, but they still possess some world class players such as Saka, Saliba, and Odegaard, and with little European competition to focus on, I think Arsenal will finally lift the Premier League trophy in 2023 for the first time in 19 years. 

Champions League Winners: Manchester City 

As much as it pains me not to pull out the bias card again and pick my favorite team, PSG, to win the UEFA Champions League in 2023, I just can’t see Manchester City not finally winning it this year. The way I see it, with my prediction of Arsenal winning the Premier League, Manchester City will be extra motivated to win the Champions League.

Manchester City has the best coach in the world in Pep Guardiola, the best player in the league in Kevin De Bruyne, and the most prolific scorer in Erling Haaland, so for me they are just too good to win nothing this year. PSG definitely has a chance with individual brilliance of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé, but with Arsenal stealing the Prem, I think City will be kings of Europe in 2023.

2023 Women's World Cup Champions: France 

Although the men came close in 2022, they weren’t able to seal the deal. However, I believe the French women will come through and become champions of the world in 2023. The traditional favorites in the U.S are currently in between two generations of players, and look weak, basically as weak as they’ll ever be, opening the door for a new winner this time around. The next favorite will likely be the newly crowned European Championed Lionesses, but male or female, France does not lose to England, so give me the French woman to win it all.

2023 Rugby World Cup Champions: France 

Sure, call me biased, but with France losing the 2022 World Cup, my prediction is that the entire country of France will rebound in 2023 with Women’s World Cup and Rugby World Cup victories in 2023. And you can’t say it is out of the realm of possibility either.

The French Rugby team is looking the strongest it has in years and are current holders of the 6 nations tournament. The All-Blacks of New Zealand will be tough adversaries as always, but I think it is the French that will lift the trophy in their home country. 

Overall, it is clear that 2023 will bring some exciting competitions, and I am sure we will be treated to some memorable moments. These are just my predictions, make sure to put money on all my picks, you are guaranteed to win!