Some big sporting success stories in recent weeks, and so here's a few of them.

First, Federico Macheda announced himself to the world in the most stunning of circumstances, shooting himself into the limelight, and Manchester United back on top of the Premier League.

While Macheda's goal was sublime in it's creation and finish, this goal is perhaps the epitome of calm under pressure. While the goal may not have as much significance as Macheda's injury-time winner, Garfite of Wolfsburg puts his side 5-1 up against a side who have recently humiliated Sporting Lisbon 12-1.

The weekend also saw Andy Murray again confirm his place alongside the very elite of world tennis. Whislt unable to overhaul Novak Djokovic in the rankings, he beats him here in the Final in Miami, taking his record since Wimbledon 2008 to 57 wins and 7 losses, the next best record being that of Rafael Nadal, with 50 wins and 7 losses. He is a man on form.

Then of course last weekend was Grand National weekend, the bill being topped by Mon Mome. A 100/1 outside, winning jockey Liam Treadwell was understandably over the moon. At least he was, until Claire Balding, yes Claire Balding, started having a go at his appearance. The words pot, kettle and black spring to mind.

 
 

Andy Murray's declaration of strength following his 5-set marathon comeback against Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon was cut short in the next round, against a bulldozer called Rafael Nadal. Since that straight sets defeat of course, Murray backed up the tensing of his right bicep, by closing in on the top 3 in the world, cementing himself in the number 4 spot.

Consecutive Masters Series titles followed Wimbledon, propelling him within touching distance of the very elite. Then came a big test at the US Open. Murray, having won the Junior title there in 2004, had always declared it his best opportunity to win a Slam, preferring the hard courts of the Flushing Meadow, to the grass of Wimbledon or clay of Roland Garros. What followed proved that Murray was ready to move into the top band of players. In defeating a then-rampant Rafael Nadal in the semi-final as well as the other in-form youngster Del-Potro in the quarters, he proved that when it mattered most, he could produce the goods.

Unfortunately, the final was one step too far, where running into the greatest player the game has seen, on form, hindered his chances massively, despite promising patches of play. Federer, wounded from losing both his Wimbledon title and the Number 1 spot he'd held for so long, responded like a true champion, to outclass Murray in a one-sided final. No shame in that for Murray of course, and Murray gained revenge by knocking Federer out of the season-ending Masters cup.

So the question left is how can Murray do in 2009? His best chances of Grand Slam glory lie in Australia and the United States I believe, where the hard courts lend to the change of pace, direction and play that he has in his armoury. He has unquestionably begun well, beating both Federer and Nadal once more in the warm-up tournament, and will go into the Quatar Open brimming with confidence as defending champion.

A kind draw early in the Australian Open in a few weeks will provide an excellent chance to repeat his run to the Final of the US, where he came unstuck against finalist Tsonga in the first round last year. I have a feeling Murray may get his Grand Slam this year, ahead of schedule if anything, and I think it could be in a few weeks time. In all honesty, I think Federer and Nadal will continue their stranglehold over the French Open and Wimbledon, but solid runs there will only seve as fuel to the hard-court season, and a serious assault once more on the US Open, which is where Murray has said he feels most at home. In any case, with a fantastic set of back-up staff and a supporting family and nation, I think the 'snotty teenager' from a few years ago, could be Britain's first Grand Slam Champion since Virginia Wade, in 2009.


 
 

Almost every time an up-and-coming sportsman or woman finally comes good, I always tell my friends, family, or anyone who will listen that 'I knew they'd make it-see', and quite often I have done, but now it's time to put that theory truly to the test - Here, I'm going to make a number of predictions for the coming year, and challenge any of you readers to stump up a five pound bet if you think any of these will not happen....

1. Laura Robson to add to her Wimbledon Junior's Title - While it's true she may have been born in Australia, we are most definitly taking her as one of her own. Just as Andy Murray did in 2004 at the US Open, 2008 saw 14-year old Laura Robson punch above her weight, defeating the older, reigning Champion in the second round, in straight sets. Following this, she won her first singles title in Sunderland, and I wouldn't at all be surprised if we saw her in the top 150 by the end of they year, despite a current ranking of 508. I do predict, however, that despite her current stomach injury, she adds to her Junior Grand Slam collection and is voted Young Sports Personality of the Year 2009.

2. The renaissance of Fernando Alonso - A bit controversial this one, given Fernando's run-ins with our own Lewis Hamilton, but no-one scored more points than him during the final 5 races of the 2008 season. Undoubtedly he is back, and you can bet he is hungrier than ever after losing his title over the past 2 years. Having spent the first part of last season helping adjust the car, the second half of the season saw vast improvements, culminating in a fantastic win in the sports first ever night race. I predict a top-two championship finish for the man many consider the most complete driver in Formula One.

3. Wales add another Six Nations title to the collection - Under the shrewd management of Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards, Wales have been transformed from World Cup flops in October 2007, to Grand Slam Champions in March 2008. Having overseen a tighter than usual tour of South Africa, as well as masterminding victory over an Australian team that came second in the Tri-nations, I don't think Gatland and Wales will stop there. I predict another title for Wales, if not another Grand Slam. England are very much a team in transition still and do not have Wales' resiliance. France continue to look to the World Cup, and last year made countless changes between every game, and while Scotland are much-improved, I don't think they'll have enough. Ireland are a team in decline, despite bright performances ever now and again, and Italy despite their continual improvement are hamstrung by the fact their development is so many years behind everyone elses, which means it will be the year of the Dragon once more.

4. Tony Adams to be sacked, and Portsmouth to be relegated - Probably the prediction I'm sticking my neck out with the most, and I hope I'm wrong, but Portsmouth was Harry Redknapp. Last time they tried to replace him, they ended up all-but relegated - who saved them? Oh you guessed it - everyone's favourite wheeler and dealer - Harry 'Freedom of the City even though I just left for Tottenham' Redknapp. In any case, Portsmouth's form has been dire since he left, and their bankroll has stopped. 'Oh, but they have £20million from Diarra to spend' I hear you cry - Me, I doubt that it's £20million. The undisclosed fee, I think, could in reality be much smaller. The 2 wins since Adams took over have come against Sunderland, courtesy of a 91st minute, dodgy penalty, and against a Blackburn team in freefall - sorry Pompey, in the tightest Premiership ever, I think you're playing the Swans in the Championship next year.

5. Ricky Hatton to either beat Manny Pacquiao or lose to Floyd Mayweather - difficult to predict the fate of a man, when you do not know his opponent, but I think the fight is won or lost in whoever he fights. A super-fight is a nailed-on certainty, with mootings of a re-match with Mayweather, and a fight with the pound-for-pound king Pacquiao the most likely options. I think whereas De La Hoya was a spent force against the 'Pac man', which he admitted after the fight, Hatton would make his weight advantage count, and take a decision against Pacquiao, who will not have fought anyone as ferocious as Ricky Hatton is on the inside. Mayweather, on the other hand, is the one that got away, and while the temptation may be to right a wrong, I don't think it would be possible. let's not forget Mayweather not only beat Hatton, he knocked him out, comfortably, and that was nothing to do with the referee, it was because Mayweather was the best fighter in the world and I have no doubt if he comes out of retirement, still is.

Other , more subdued, and off-the-cuff predictions for 2009 include -Joe Calzaghe to sensibly retire, Andy Murray to win the US Open, Cardiff City to lose in the Championship play-offs, Blackburn to go down, Wolves, Reading and Palace to go up, Another Champions League semi-final line-up dominated by English clubs, Liverpool to blow their Premiership title hopes and Alex Ferguson to praise a referee's decision after the award of a penalty for the opposition at Old Trafford (All bets off that one obviously!).

Happy New Year!