We’ll meet once more. Don’t know the place. Don’t know…. Easter Monday?
Let’s simply minimize to the chase right here.
Most of you’re solely studying this publish due to one match. Sure, as soon as once more, the grasp puppeteer has engineered a headline act in snooker that beats all earlier headlines. On Monday we’ve got the final word nostalgia dream journey within the World Qualifiers; one thing that we by no means thought we’d see once more.
Thanks Barry.
It’s after all about much more than Stephen and Jimmy, however let’s face it, they are going to steal the headlines many years on from after they have been each on the prime of the game.
Neither will qualify for The Crucible, I’m sure of that, however the match itself is what we want after the yr we’ve all needed to endure so I believe it’s a masterstroke, if barely on the bleedingly apparent facet that the draw was concocted while fishing and making calls from the person in command of snooker.
Anyway, as ever, the qualifiers for The Crucible stay for me the second greatest occasion of the yr behind the massive one a number of days after their conclusion. So, I’m about to forensically look at every of the 16 teams and attempt to give some perception in to who will qualify to play at The Crucible. The fairweather snooker followers will cease after group one, the informal fan might final till half approach down. However the anoraks will stay. – we stand collectively individuals with our thermos flasks, crammed to the brim with sizzling soup.
I’ll qualify the ideas beneath by saying they’re my very own. Like everybody, there may have been issues which have handed me by this yr. I’ve not been as glued to snooker as I could have been in earlier years and I’m paying little consideration to the difficulty of tour survival, however I’ll attempt to give a little bit of perception when it comes to what I believe is likely to be price taking an curiosity in in case you are a punter beneath. Nonetheless, I reserve the suitable in the case of among the names beneath to utter the nicely crafted BBC commentary line that ‘it’s the primary time I’ve seen this younger man play’.
Who will qualify?
With the Easter eggs nonetheless very a lot in play we are able to all calm down on Monday night for Jimmy and Stephen. It’s clearly the present stealer however as soon as it’s achieved I’d be shocked if the winner proceeded a lot additional. I’d say on the proof of Hendry’s solely comeback match up to now he’d be the extra more likely to achieve momentum if he have been to win however even when he noticed off Xu Si within the subsequent around the prospect of a gathering with Zhou Yuelong would absolutely show a step too far, even with the ‘worry issue’ of going through the nice man inbuilt. Yuelong needs to be favorite to prevail from this group however I’d not rule out any of the gamers within the backside half. Liam Highfield is greater than succesful at this degree and naturally we all know that Slessor will take a little bit of beating. I’d not even rule out Zak Surety progressing to the ultimate spherical, however on stability it needs to be Zhou, who keep in mind wasn’t even born when Hendry was having fun with all his ultimate beatings of Jimmy.
Predicted Qualifier: Zhou Yuelong
A piece stuffed with acquainted names subsequent, from Nigel Bond, Ken Doherty and Dom Dale at one finish of the spectrum to youthful bucks Donaldson and Traces with Matt Selt someplace in between. I used to be very impressed with the best way Selt rose to the massive Hendry problem when some gamers might need caved in beneath the strain and if he performs something like he did in that match he’ll take some stopping right here. If we take this group to its logical conclusion we’ll see Selt and Donaldson at Judgement Day however let’s not rule out one of many outdated arms inflicting a shock or two, Ken particularly can nonetheless get the odd run going. It needs to be famous nevertheless that Donaldson holds a large superior face to face over Selt, although it’s largely over brief distances, Selt’s not overwhelmed him in six makes an attempt.
Predicted Qualifier: Scott Donaldson
Just a few extra acquainted names right here in one other part which has a mixture of established gamers and youthful potters. Kurt Maflin may have his supporters following his promising run final season however he’s been largely absent lately and will have his thoughts on different issues. This provides Robert Milkins the favourites likelihood I’d say, clearly he’s lethal on his day within the balls however he does wrestle for consistency. I reckon this part may see one of many gamers beginning earlier construct up some momentum and qualify and taking a look at his outcomes this season, Joe O’Connor has proven sufficient to provide him pretty much as good an opportunity as any of upsetting the chances.
Predicted Qualifier: Joe O’Connor
With the unhappy passing of Mr Most Willie Thorne final yr it’s fairly becoming that one other participant from the Leicester area, Tom Ford, is assuming the mantle of a 147 specialist with out essentially ever profitable something. His scoring energy is up there with the highest gamers within the recreation so it’s one thing of a thriller why he’s by no means fairly made the massive breakthrough. He’s had good runs in a few latest rankers and has been enjoying persistently all season down in Milton Keynes so there will probably be no doubting his match sharpness. I reckon he’ll have taken a take a look at this draw and thought it might have been much more tough and he’d be one among my extra assured picks to be lining up at The Crucible. His principal menace Noppon is arguably not in nice kind however is one other huge scorer if he finds it.
Predicted Qualifier: Tom Ford
One other former Crucible champion within the form of The Highland Terrier Graeme Dott traces up on this part and Dotty is one thing of a qualifiers specialist as of late, he tends to breeze by means of them within the least dramatic trend potential and there’s nothing to counsel that he’ll not be at the least within the combine on Judgement Day once more this yr. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how Reanne will get on towards Andy Hicks and presumably Eden Sharav, I’d say at her greatest she’s a match for each however Dott is a special kettle of fish. Within the backside part I’d fancy Tian Pengfei to make it into the showdown with Dott however he’s by no means overwhelmed the Scot in 4 makes an attempt. It needs to be Dott.
Predicted Qualifier: Graeme Dott
One other aggressive one right here with no actual clear favorite on kind. It will be good to see Michael Holt have a run at The Crucible as he’s quick turn out to be a favorite with lots of people on social media and I’d embrace myself in that, however I have to weblog with my head relatively than my coronary heart. Li Cling is clearly a hazard man right here but when we go just a little additional again we discover a participant with a degree to show and a confirmed Crucible pedigree in Jamie Jones. Very very like the wounded animal and now absolutely again in enterprise following his enforced interval out of the sport I can’t consider anybody who will probably be extra decided to get again the place he feels he belongs, so on that philosophy alone I make him the person to beat right here.
Predicted Qualifier: Jamie Jones
This part positively has one thing of a Chinese language qualifier really feel to it. Jimmy Robertson might want to recapture type of a few seasons in the past to compete towards the likes of Lu Ning and Liang Wenbo. It appears unimaginable that Robertson has to win his first match right here to remain on tour however I suppose if he does, the aid of doing so may simply carry him over the road on this part. Liang hasn’t actually achieved a lot this season and on season solely kind you’d need to fancy Lu Ning to prevail, however Wenbo can simply flip it on while you least count on it so with out an excessive amount of confidence I’m going to plump for him, he’s much better to observe than Lu Ning so simply from an leisure viewpoint I hope he makes it by means of.
Predicted Qualifier: Liang Wenbo
Some extra outdated arms right here within the form of Joe Perry, Darkish Mavis and Fearless Fergal (O’Brien, not the opposite one) so we are able to count on some proper outdated grapples on this part. Perry begins an apparent favorite and looking out on the draw I believe he’ll face Jamie Clarke once more at this stage, after dropping to him final August it was Jamie who went on to beat Mark Allen at The Crucible earlier than ‘that’ match towards McGill. This received’t be easy for Joe if the Welshman has constructed up some momentum and the reminiscences of that defeat might creep up on him once more, however he has the expertise to place that behind him in a bid for some revenge. Up within the prime part lurks the quietly constant Stuart Carrington who is aware of what it takes to qualify so Mavis has his work minimize on the market. I’d say qualifying is between Perry, Clarke and Carrington and once more the decide beneath goes with probably the most skilled of the three.
Predicted Qualifier: Joe Perry
A powerful favorite to progress on this group within the form of Thepchaiya Un-Nooh who was unfortunate to return up towards Ronnie in August after the earlier yr dropping to Judd in a very tight match. You’d hope that if he qualifies once more the draw could also be just a little simpler on him in order he doesn’t get beat by the winner three years in a row. It’s tough to see previous him qualifying for Judgement Day the place he’ll absolutely face both Anthony Hamilton or Mark Joyce who I’m certain would each try and win by slowing the tempo of the match proper down. Hamilton continues to wrestle along with his well being however stays high quality on his day, Joyce conjures up wins while you least count on it, however I’ve to stay with Un-Nooh right here and if he does get by means of have a number of quid on his first spherical opponent to win the entire thing in the event you imagine in issues taking place in threes.
Predicted Qualifier: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
Ryan Day and Ricky Walden are two Crucible stalwarts however it appears some time since both of them have been there as of proper, curiously to me at the least, they’ve met 14 occasions and by no means over any longer than better of 9, which they’ve performed one another simply twice at, so in the event that they do meet it will likely be the longest ever match they’ve contested at better of 19. Who’s to cease them? Ashley Carty hasn’t actually kicked on from qualifying for Sheffield final time and faces a tricky opener towards one other Crucible seed of the previous Michael White, I like Louis Heathcote, he appears to have a superb all spherical recreation however outcomes imply he’s combating to retain his tour place, if he clicks although he might upset the chances right here, however out of Day and Walden I’d favour Day simply on latest kind.
Predicted Qualifier: Ryan Day
Martin Gould had an incredible spell of kind that coincided with the delayed World Championship final summer time and adopted his good Crucible efficiency up with a slender defeat to Mark Selby within the European Open ultimate however he’s been just a little bit quiet since then. One other participant who has had a mediocre season is Ben Woollaston so that you may argue that the 2 prime seeds are there to be shot at right here from additional again. The presence of Alan McManus right here might unsettle the highest two if wily outdated Angles is as much as the job and it might even be good to see my pal Allan Taylor get himself within the combine. I do know lots of people fancy Gould to coast this one however I believe he’s proving fairly an inconsistent participant to think about, Daniel Wells might nicely give him a shock I’d say however my eyes maintain coming again to that man Angles.
Predicted Qualifier: Alan McManus
If somebody had advised you firstly of the season that Gary Wilson or Jordan Brown would win a rating occasion within the coming months with a gun to your head to decide on which one, most of us wouldn’t be round right this moment. Jordan’s seize of the Welsh Open and the style by which he beat Ronnie within the ultimate got here from nowhere and though he’s misplaced his two matches since he nonetheless have to be handled as a completely totally different proposition now than 12 months in the past, when Wilson would in all probability have been closely odds on to qualify from this group. David Grace is what I like to consider as a banana pores and skin participant, one who you underestimate at your peril and Brown must be on track to get previous him. Additional again we’ve got Scouser Sean Maddocks who remains to be studying about life as a professional and his recreation with Cahill could be a superb one to observe. Anyway, I’m sticking with Wilson right here as regardless of the Welsh win, I nonetheless assume he’s one of the best participant of this bunch.
Predicted Qualifier: Gary Wilson
The bang in kind Ali Carter is out there at 5/6 to qualify and I’d counsel that to be one of the best single wager of this whole occasion. His latest kind means that he’s as sharp as a tack and for me it will likely be an actual shock to not see him at The Crucible. The principle threats should absolutely solely be who he may face on Judgement Day having received his first heat up simply. Alexander Ursenbacher gained some followers final August and I like the best way he performs the sport so I count on him to progress to play The MO’D for the suitable to face The Captain however over a two session match I can solely see a win for Ali, one participant that each one the seeds will need to dodge when the primary draw is finished.
Predicted Qualifier: Ali Carter
This is without doubt one of the extra unpredictable sections for my part. You would make a case for all the highest 4 gamers and also you’d not rule out a shock coming from additional again both which makes for an attention-grabbing match on Judgement Day and maybe a Crucible debutant rising. Hossein Vafaei and Zhao Xintong have their admirers and there’s no doubt that on their day they’ve the sport to progress and also have a win or two on the principal occasion however it should come as no shock to those that know me that I’m going to facet with Sam Craigie who I price very extremely and who I’m certain at some point will justify my religion in him. He’s proven sufficient lately to counsel that his time to shine may not be that distant.
Predicted Qualifier: Sam Craigie
You can also make a case for 4 of those to qualify however I’d be very shocked if any of the 4 beginning out bought any additional given Ian Burns and Chris Wakelin are ready for them. I’d say it will go to kind and we’ll see Stevens taking over Wakelin and Goudong face Burns to get to Judgement Day. By way of kind you’d need to fancy Xiao most strongly however you by no means know which Matthew may flip up, each Burns and Wakelin may even fancy their probabilities and I reckon the ultimate better of 19 match is likely to be a bit twitchy whoever is in it. However on present kind I’m sticking with the one who’s been persistently the strongest this season.
Predicted Qualifier: Xiao Guodong
The ultimate part sees arguably the ‘huge hitter’ of the entire occasion Stuart Bingham in a doubtlessly tough group that includes Belgian Bullet Luca Brecel and the grappler Mark King. It doesn’t appear lengthy in any respect since Ballrun received the title and it’s actually relatively a shock to see him right here as I nonetheless take into account him firmly as a prime ten participant, however the rating checklist doesn’t lie and that’s why he’s the place he’s. I don’t assume he’ll thoughts an excessive amount of and he’ll in all probability use the expertise as greatest he can to get sharp for the massive one. Do I believe he’ll qualify? Sure I do, the actual fact his first match needs to be pretty easy after which he strikes on to a two session one is sufficient for me, one other one to be averted in spherical one.
Predicted Qualifier: Stuart Bingham
What I’ve backed – all at Ladbrokes with Boosted Odds:
Fourfold to qualify on Tom Ford, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Ali Carter and Stuart Bingham pays simply over 10/1
Add Joe Perry and Graeme Dott for a sixfold pays round 38/1
Fourfolds and an Accumulator on Donaldson, O’Connor, Jamie Jones, Day and Craigie, acca pays 421/1.
