HOW will 2015 shape-up for the great and the good of Gwent and Welsh sport? Here are ten predictions for next year.

1: Newport County will make the League Two play-offs

We may as well start big and predicting a top seven finish for Newport County AFC in Sky Bet League most certainly falls into that category.

The Exiles have just surrendered a superb undefeated streak and have lost a key defender to season ending injury, so it’s not an ideal moment to make such a claim.

As things stand, having performed beyond all expectation, Newport are barely clinging to a play-off berth and are merely a bad run away from being outside the top half.

However, their consistency so far this term, their togetherness and familiarity with their system and the continued improvement of an extremely talented manager is enough to convince me that the Exiles can just about make the grade. How they will fare in the play-offs, that’s a different matter and I question I wouldn’t fancy answering.

2: Darcy Blake will be a revelation for the Exiles

Another fairly large punt as Blake is yet to even pen a deal at Rodney Parade and has only had one training session with the club in the past few months.

Blake is 26-years old and it’s absolutely absurd he’s out the game when he should be coming into his prime as an important part of a Championship squad and a regular feature for Chris Coleman’s Wales.

Instead, his appearance record this season reads, played once, for the Tredegar Arms pub.

Blake is on the precipice of being a huge wasted talent and he made the wrong decision in seeking better terms elsewhere last summer.

Justin Edinburgh’s track record of getting the best out of players with baggage is undeniable and Blake has instant goodwill at Newport as a local boy and Welsh cap.

At his best he’s miles better than League Two and Blake can be a huge hit in the remainder of this campaign, one that will make or break the remainder of his career.

3: Wales will make the top three of European Championship Qualifying Group B

It’s going to be the play-offs at worst for Chris Coleman’s men though I lean towards them piping Bosnia and Israel and nicking second spot behind Belgium.

Predicting a Welsh capitulation would be easy and some might argue sensible with history being our guide, but Wales have the most expensive player in the world and that makes a huge difference.

The change to the format of the European Championships was designed for nations like Wales and the novelty of making a fast start has increased belief from the players to the supporters. The result in Brussels was a red letter day for Chris Coleman’s squad and they will at worst see this campaign out as the third best side in Group B.

4: Real Madrid will re-commit to Gareth Bale

I have no doubt whatsoever that Manchester, be it the red half or the blue half, will be the next home city for Bale following Southampton, London and Madrid.

A modest and family-orientated character like Bale is always going to be drawn to his Whitchurch roots, but I’m just not buying the paper talk of United being ready to swoop as early as this summer.

Real Madrid courted Bale for two-years, made him the most expensive player in the world and they pay him a reputed £300,000-a-week.

For that eye-watering investment Madrid landed an instant hit. Bale has scored 22 goals in 39 games so far for the Champions League winners and of course scoring the winning goal in said final.

As a youngster it was Raul, Zidane, Figo and Co who enthralled Bale and in signing a six-year deal at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium both player and club made a commitment to one another for a long and successful partnership and I can’t see either feeling any immediate need to change that arrangement. I’m tipping a new Madrid contract for Bale in 2015.

5: Lee Evans will play for Wales and join the ranks of the Premier League

Hardly a bold tip after he was named in two successive squads by Chris Coleman, but Evans definitely has the talent to ensure he doesn’t become an international nearly man.

The Wolves midfielder should be in no rush to leave a huge club with unlimited potential, but it will be no surprise if his progress eclipses Wanderers in terms of who reaches the Premier League first. Will it happen in 2015? Don’t rule it out.

6: Lee Selby will win a world title

The Barry-boxer has been one of the cornerstones of Newport’s St Joseph’s gym for long, long-time and in 2015 he will emerge fully on the big stage as one of Britain’s best pound-for-pound fighters.

IBF champion Evgeny Gradovic seems the likely next opponent for Selby and his mesmeric rise in the past few years will continue when his major opportunity comes. Behind Anthony Joshua, there isn’t currently a boxer in Britain set for a more illustrious and lucrative career than Selby.

7: Nathan Cleverly’s fight(s) will exceed expectation

Cleverly himself told the world that the loser of his showdown with Tony Bellew had “nowhere to go,” in the remainder of their careers, but the Maths whizz from Cardiff will know the numbers can be right for him in 2015.

Cleverly is a former world champion and in switching to light heavyweight again will rejoin a division that is looking pretty barren beyond the big two, Sergey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson.

Those two could and should meet to unify the division, but Cleverly will be eyeing the WBA champion, Juergen Braehmer, as a potential decent payday. Eddie Hearn won’t be resting on his laurels with Cleverly just yet.

7: Jamie Donaldson will shine in America

A big game player with a big game temperament and one of the best putters currently swinging a club, Donaldson’s game seems perfectly suited to success in the States and a repeat of Phillip Price’s ill-fated one-year on the USPGA Tour is highly unlikely.

8: Bradley Dredge will win in Europe

After a nightmare couple of years, Dredge is back with full European Tour membership after taking his chance to avoid more Q School disappointment, as he suffered in 2013.

Dredge received a six-week medical exemption this summer and it was a chance he took in fine fashion, securing back-to-back second placed finishes in Denmark and the Czech Republic to net over €300,00 and a card for this year.

Dredge had finished second four times since he last Tour triumph, but to come so close after so long shows he’s found his game again. He can mark that recovery with victory this season.

9: Gerwyn Price will make the grade

You’ve got to hand it to the Cross Keys rugby player turned darts pro who shone in defeat against Peter Wright at the PDC World Championship.

To deal with the lights, camera and the action from the Ally Pally fans is no mean feat and Price was extremely impressive in throwing five 180s last week and showed his has the stomach for the big occasion. He can go far.

10: Kevin Pietersen will play cricket for England again

Because never say never; beggars can’t be choosers and other clichés that apply here. Merry Christmas everyone.