These are my predictions for winners of the groups.
Disclaimer: as I am an ignorant twat, take all of this with roughly a tablespoon of salt.
Group 1:
Hitagi[Nisemonogatari] This one is kind of interesting, it's between hitagi and eru for the most part. Shinobu might split some votes from hitagi but since it's multi vote (it is multi vote right?) I kind of doubt it. That coupled with the fact that I don't see hyouka being that strong since apparently it wasn't selling all that well probably gives hitagi the win.
Group 2:
Tsukihi[Nisemonogatari] Between tsukihi and ika. I'll go with tsukihi since she's a new character.
Group 3:
Iori[idolmaster] This group could be any of iori, kuroyukihime, aria, nagi, or yozora. Random guessing is the method of choice for this prediction (a part of all of my predictions really)
Group 4:
AM-I-POPLAR-YET[Working] Wow...according to ion this is a really weak group, who am I to doubt him?
Group 5:
Toki[Saki Achiga Hen] Here comes the group of death, thankfully this is only the prelims so everyone important SHOULD get through. Toki will win against saki because toki is the true protagonist of achiga hen. See the following video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PJOu19eIIU it is so much more natural.
Group 6:
Shana[Shakugan no Shana] I want to believe in taiga, but she only got an OVA instead of a full season like shana. ;_;
Group 7:
Erika[Strike Witches] Nobrainer here, she made it to quarterfinals last year, and the other contender, koromo, didn't get much screentime. Also worth mentioning in this group is that I completely forgot higurashi characters were eligible again due to kira, and the fact that
hamster ayumu is in this group. Ayumu fighting!
Group 8:
TOUSHINO KYOUKO[Yuruyuri] Lesbian antics will triumph over lesbian pirates.
Group 9:
Nyaruko[Nyaruko] Main character for one of the best selling shows of the season right before saimoe? Yes, yes I think she'll be fine.
Group 10:
Kyaputen[Saki Achiga Hen] It's another saki group! Other contenders will be kuro and kuuko, and possibly touka~desu wa.
Group 11:
Azu-nyan[K-ON] The 2010 champion returns to...not take her throne because she only had a movie. She'll win a prelim group at least.
Group 12:
Nodoka[Saki Achiga Hen] Nodoka vs. Meat...oh boy. Medaka might also be a factor for those voters who read the manga.
Group 13:
Tsumiki[Acchi Kocchi] Pretty strong group here, with
stealth momo and
subara kirame from saki, nadeko and tsubasa from nisemonogatari, and kurisu to round it out. Tsumiki should have the advantage of being designed as a moeblob as well as being from a recently aired new show.
Group 14:
Hina[Hayate no Gotoku] It's hina's year! No but seriously she won't make it past round two, mark my words. Mio and lotte will be contenders as well.
Group 15:
Kobato[Haganai] Also notable in this group is
bowling toki arata. Yes I just wanted to make that joke.
Group 16:
Akarin[Yuruyuri] Who now? I've never heard of this character.