Outlook for 2019: Madrid dethroned from UCL, Liverpool realize EPL dream & more

2018 has ended, a year full of please and surprise. 2019 has begun, a year full of expectation and imagination.

We've been the witness of France's World Cup glory, Real Madrid's Champions League dominance and Modric's Ballon d'Or triumph.

We've been moved by Ronaldo's Juventus transfer, Wenger's Arsenal farewell, and Ronaldinho's football retirement.

One year is easy for Sarri to show off his coaching talent, but is hard for Man Utd to trust their 'Special One'.

One year is rather short for World Cup winner Mbappe to win The Best, but is long enough for De Ligt to turn himself as a highly-demanded star...

Sealing the indelible memories in the bottom of our heart, let's have a general outlook for 2019.

What will happen in the new year?

1. Real Madrid dethroned from Champions League?

Record-breaking Real Madrid were incomparable in the last three years, but the 13-time Champions League winner may see their era ended after Ronaldo's departure.

It takes time to fill in the vacancy all the way.

Los Blancos suffered a blow in Lopetegui's short-term tenure to the start of the season but they've fought back to La Liga top 4 under Solari's guidance and booked a place in Champions League knockout stage as group winners.

However, their 'foes' including Liverpool, Juventus, and Bayern Munich are all seeking revenge while the reinforced sides are now able to knock the reigning champions out. 

Will Madrid end their European reign? 

2. Liverpool realize their Premier League dream?

From Alisson to Van Dijk, Liverpool have proved the true saying 'the only flaw of high expense is expensive'. With the lethal attack and consolidated defense, the Reds are powering ahead in Premier League.

This year, Klopp's side can really turn their dream into reality.

It dates back to 1990 when the last time Liverpool lifted the trophy of England's top-flying league, and they have never clinched a Premier League title. 'Trophies do matter!', a dig which Mourinho left before his sacking, keeps driving Klopp's side to win the competition with Man City and Spurs.

If Liverpool don't repeat the same mistakes in the last seasons, which meant beating the bigs but dropping points against the minnows, they will enhance their title credentials in an incredible season.

3. Juventus win the treble after Ronaldo signing?

4 years, 4 Scudetto, 4 Coppa d'Italia, Allegri has been the first coach of European top five leagues to win domestic double titles for four consecutive years... But what the Italian and Serie A champions lack is universally acknowledged.

But now, they are equipped with a nuclear weapon.

Ronaldo's €100M summer move has boosted the confidence of Juventus, who are eager for a third Champions League title after 28 years. The all-time best scorer in the tournament can without doubt bring his power and experience to the whole squad, even in the expense of two-time POTY Higuain.

We can optimistically hold the view that the Portuguese superstar now turns the Bianconeri to Champions League favorites. Still, as Allegri says, fortune is also needed in European battlegrounds.

4. The Ronaldo-Messi era comes to an end?

Luka Modric took the spotlight in 2018 as the Croatian captain swept the major awards including FIFA The Best Men's Player, Ballon d'Or & more, ending Ronaldo-Messi's 10-year duopoly.

But as we can see, their era is far from end.

The two goal-machines remain record-breakers. 

Accepting Serie A challenge, Ronaldo has scored Juventus' 5000th goal in club history becoming the fastest newcomer to score 10 goals in the first season. Continuing La Liga dominance, Messi has just become the first footballer in history to receive a fifth European Golden Boot.

33-year-old Modric may have enjoyed his last Golden Year of individual trophies, while Hazard, Neymar, Mbappe, Griezmann are still pushing their ways through to a higher level. 

2019 will be a delicate year in which we can see if there will be a real dividing crest between the Ronaldo-Messi era and a new chapter in the football world.

5. Who will take the center stage, who will step aside?

It may be hard to accept, but metabolism happens every day. Not only in our bodies but also inside the clubs.

Thus, who will step in, who will crash out?

The first names flittering in our mind are naturally Courtois and Navas. The World Cup Golden Glove winner has already been a regular starter at Real Madrid, while the one who rendered outstanding service is towards an exit. 

The same topic is happening between Arsenal's Leno and Cech.

Also, Boateng, Bailly, Khedira, Wijnaldum, Casemiro may make ways for the emerging stars as Sule, Lindelof, Bentancur, Keita and Marcos Llorente are expected to take over on the center stage. 

6. Another sensational transfer speculation comes true?

The transfer market has always been a hot topic in the football world. Someone has dream clubs, some club admire dream players... that's a deal.

Will there be sensational transfer moves in 2019?

Hazard never hides his dream to become a Real Madrid player and Florentino is eager for a new star at Bernabeu. If Sarri fails to bring a trophy to Chelsea at the end of the season, we can't exclude a summer move for the Belgium captain.

Besides, Ajax duo De Jong and De Ligt, Napoli defensive rock Koulibaly, PSG free agent Rabiot, Lyon playmaker Fekir and co are also among the names to make a sensational transfer. Also, one of Neymar and Mbappe could leave PSG to become the No.1 in new team.

As for the veterans, Bayern legend Robben & Ribery will seek a new club to finish their career. Roma icon De Rossi and Juventus senior Barzagli may end their footballing campaign. 

As for managers, Conte, Mourinho and Wenger are all likely to make football return with a new team in a fresh new year.

7. Bayern come from behind to overtake Dortmund?

Captain Reus is leading the rejuvenated Dortmund into an incredible season, but Kovac won't give up his hope in the first year at the Bundesliga reigning champions.

The race is still wide open.

With Coman's return from injury, Bayern have more options on the attacking line. Muller has found his best place as a secondary striker behind Lewandowski as Kovac has worked out the best midfield solution with Thiago partnering Goretzka, which helped the Bundesliga giants registered an unbeaten December.

Bayern now sit 6 points adrift of Dortmund, a gap rather compensable. Will BVB change the league face or Bavarians defend the title once again?

8. Tottenham move into their new stadium?

Well, this topic is a little bit of funny, just like 'when will Macbook employ Retina display', but it'll be nice to see the soap opera come to an end.

Tottenham's stadium has been plagued by delays after initially been scheduled for a September opening, but the club anticipate the ground being ready in early 2019. 

Just as Pochettino says, Tottenham can live up to expectations and become a title-winning side when they move into their new home.

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section and share with your friends!

Happy new year!