The push for Paru is damn strong and I assume it’ll pay off. Takamina being at 7 seems fair but higher is a reach. Having Kitahara and Milky back seems to be the plan although the pain of Miichan not making it will linger especially after the scandal. Haruppi and Yuria entering senbatsu is beneficial for both HKT and SKE as NMB doesn’t have anyone worthy after Sayanee and Milky.
Sasshi winning it again will follow a trend of different winners every year. Yukirin forever third. Takahashi entering top 7 is a great way to end her tenure of moderately sustainable positioning. Still the battle between Sasshi and Mayu will bring in votes (probably fiercer than the Acchan/Yuko matchup)
My senbatsu prediction:
1. Kashiwagi Yuki
2. Sashihara Rino
3. Watanabe Mayu
4. Matsui Jurina
5. Yamamoto Sayaka
6. Shimazaki Haruka
7. Takahashi Minami
8. Miyawaki Sakura
9. Suda Akari
10. Miyazawa Sae
11. Matsumura Kaori
12. Yokoyama Yui
13. Shibata Aya
14. Kodama Haruka
15. Kitahara Rie
16. Watanabe Miyuki