*Goosebumps*
After all of the drama of the qualifiers down the street it’s now time for the massive one. Saturday sees Ronnie O’Sullivan breaking off at The Crucible to defend the title he received what looks as if only some weeks in the past.
It’s going to be an uncommon Crucible expertise once more and if all goes to plan the smaller viewers will steadily construct to a crescendo for the ultimate, after we are led to consider the place will probably be packed to the rafters with a masked up and absolutely examined and traced crowd.
After all it stays to be seen what number of will probably be ready to bear the obligatory check, signal the ‘if I get sick and die I received’t sue Barry Hearn’ papers and sit there sweating it out within the notoriously scorching area with the masks over their nostril and mouth. I’ve to say it doesn’t sound notably like my cup of tea and like a number of others I’m selecting Arsedent Central on the couch for the 17 days.
However let’s want those that do flip up properly and hopefully this occasion will sign a return to one thing like normality. Fingers crossed there aren’t any hiccups and that each one the 32 gamers get their expertise of strolling out to a crowd, one thing that final 12 months solely these taking part in on Day 1 and the 2 finalists obtained to savour.
It’s been a shitty 12 months all spherical so what higher means to herald Spring than this? The 16 seeds in opposition to the 16 qualifiers as is custom to open issues up. Let battle begin.
A reminder that each one matches within the prime half are performed on Desk 1 (on the proper because the telly sees them, the one in the principle picture) and all backside half are on Desk 2. I’ve included all session occasions underneath every match.
Click on on the match to take you to the Head to Head report on the wonderful Cue Tracker.
Ronnie O’Sullivan (1) v Mark Joyce
Saturday seventeenth 10am and 7pm
Ronnie kicks issues off on Saturday with a match that I’m positive everybody barring Mark Joyce (I assume) expects him to win comfortably. Let’s not beat concerning the bush right here, the draw has been very form to O’Sullivan this 12 months and Joyce is taking part in his first ever match at The Crucible after an extended profession making an attempt to get right here. As ever, the progress of snooker’s largest star will rely largely on whether or not he’s mentally proper for the job. He’s already demanding safety from the crowds that observe his each transfer in Sheffield and the anoraked up selfie crew who collect exterior of the Stage Door with their flasks of soup to nab anybody they’ll for a photograph. This may increasingly level to him not being within the best state of mind or just that he’s aware, as we should always all be, that social distancing ought to proceed to be noticed, although one thing tells me he’d want it to be 2 miles quite than 2 metres. Joyce may have nothing to lose right here however he’s not the kind of participant to play with wild abandon and go for his photographs and everyone knows that you simply don’t actually come out on prime today in a tactical battle with Ronnie, I’d be stunned if we see one other Cahill day right here.
Prediction: O’Sullivan 10-3
Anthony McGill (16) v Ricky Walden
Sunday 18th 10am, Monday nineteenth 7pm
After final August’s histrionics, heroics and heartbreak Anthony McGill returns to the sector only a few brief months later to face his demons. Whether or not it’s due to what occurred within the semi-final final season or not he’s not had an excellent season in any respect by way of leads to the massive occasions and he faces an skilled participant in Walden who makes a welcome return right here on the again of the qualifiers. Ricky appeared in good spirits after defeating Ryan Day and together with his tail up, the person with no nickname will probably be a troublesome opponent if McGill isn’t on his A sport. Tellingly, Ricky stated he was match once more and again working after what looks as if years of again issues which have undoubtedly affected his outcomes and rating. I believe simply on the idea of him maintaining the momentum going I’m going to plump for the seed to be overwhelmed right here. At their finest these two are just about equal and Walden appears to be like nearer to his for the time being than McGill does.
Prediction: Walden 10-6
Ding Junhui (9) v Stuart Bingham
Monday nineteenth 10am, Tuesday twentieth 2.30pm
Numerous ooo’s and aaahh’s accompanied these two balls popping out of the baggage, JP gave his customary eyebrow rise, Betfred Mark gave his finest excited face whereas Rob bellowed ‘THIS IS GOING TO BE EPIC’ like a person possessed, deafening his fellow presenters within the course of. It’s actually an fascinating conflict and Ballrun might be the person none of them wished to attract first up. His report in opposition to Ding is nice, notably not too long ago, like a number of of those first spherical match ups this 12 months they’ve met right here earlier than, again in 2011 when Ding received a decider over one of the best of 25, however Bingham has develop into a unique participant since then and today knocks in large breaks for enjoyable. The one factor I’ll say is that if this match lets down the ‘century in each match’ wager (as a result of one will clearly) I’ll elevate greater than an eyebrow. Bingham is in excellent kind, we don’t actually know which Ding will flip up so I’m going to facet with the recognized recognized quite than the recognized unknown, that’s proper isn’t it?
Prediction: Bingham 10-8
Stephen Maguire (8) v Jamie Jones
Saturday seventeenth 2.30pm (TBC), Sunday 18th 7pm
The Saturday afternoon session time is but to be confirmed at time of writing as a result of all of us must look unhappy and STFU for at the very least a minute across the time this is because of begin as a result of somebody died. Stephen Maguire has had a good season, although not fairly nearly as good by way of consistency as you may anticipate his outcomes. I tipped up Jamie Jones to qualify as I felt he’s a participant with a degree to show and when he did his post-match interview it confirmed these ideas. He feels that he belongs on the massive stage and he has a terrific report at The Crucible the occasions he’s been right here so the venue if something evokes him quite than the alternative. Head to heads don’t really matter right here however only a little bit of trivia that they’ve solely confronted one another as soon as and Jones received 5-0. Jamie is a participant that I believe is able to ‘doing a Dave Gilbert/Gary Wilson’ and having a run on this, he’s hungry, he’s decided, he’s taking part in properly and I believe it should take a extremely good efficiency to knock him out. If he can get that far I’d not be stunned if he knocked Ronnie out on the quarter finals. Beware the wounded animal.
Prediction: Jones 10-9
John Higgins (5) v Tian Pengfei
Sunday 18th 2.30pm, Monday nineteenth 2.30pm
John Parrott proclaimed John Higgins ‘a little bit of worth’ within the outright market this 12 months and thinks he has one other world title in him, what do you suppose? He’s undoubtedly nonetheless a pressure within the sport and has performed chic stuff at occasions this season in Milton Keynes, however he’s simply come up brief so many occasions in the previous couple of years I’ve obtained some doubts about his stamina. He’s been handed a really winnable opener in opposition to a participant he has performed and overwhelmed thrice so there’s no purpose to suppose he received’t accomplish that once more and boss this one from the beginning. Tian performed very properly to qualify and has had a troublesome few months in isolation however even earlier than that he wasn’t actually doing a lot in any respect. He knocked in three centuries to beat Graeme Dott however it’s important to say his run to right here has come considerably out of the blue, even based mostly on his pre-isolation kind. Higgins ought to maintain enterprise right here.
Prediction: Higgins 10-4
Mark Williams (12) v Sam Craigie
Wednesday twenty first 10am and 7pm
As a giant supporter of Sam Craigie I’m delighted that he’s made it right here for the primary time, common listeners to my half-baked opinions will know the way extremely I charge him and will probably be very fascinating to see how he copes with Willo. Williams appears very content material together with his sport for the time being, he’s accepting he’s not going to be at his finest on a regular basis whereas on the similar time saying he’s taking part in rather well. Sam is much like Williams in that he’s a really laid again sort of character on the surface however fiercely aggressive on the within. There will probably be lots of people who will wish to see Williams face Higgins once more in Spherical 2 and who’s to say that if Williams comes out on prime he may not go and win it once more? I’d quite Sam had drawn another person if I’m completely sincere and whereas I actually hope he provides account of himself, with Williams in kind I couldn’t probably again him right here with any actual confidence.
Prediction: Williams 10-6
Tuesday twentieth 10am and 7pm
It’s been a quiet season by Mark Allen’s customary. Overwhelmed early in each earlier triple crown occasions he comes right here very a lot underneath the radar with only a few individuals predicting him as a possible winner, maybe that may go well with him simply positive, generally a participant coming in on the again of a poor season can use this as inspiration. In my opinion I believe he represents some worth on the 28/1 or so knocking round and I positively wouldn’t low cost a run to the one desk scenario for him and from there, who is aware of? He faces Lyu Haotian who got here by means of an outstanding match with Chang Bingyu knocking in three centuries to win 10-6. Allen has performed and overwhelmed him twice and I believe if he will get an early lead he’ll in all probability hold his opponent at arms size for the remainder of the match, this one has a 6-3 first session and 4-3 or 4-4 within the second really feel about it to me
Prediction: Allen 10-7
Wednesday twenty first 2.30pm, Thursday twenty second 7pm
One other two who’ve met right here earlier than, again in 2015 they locked horns with Selby as defending champion on day one in a pulsating match which I used to be fortunate sufficient to see dwell, Selby taking a late evening decider to win 10-9. I keep in mind that match properly for an additional purpose, myself and others had satisfied ourselves that given Maflin’s scoring prowess, the 6/4 obtainable on him to make a century within the match was akin to discovering it on the street, 19 frames and a highest break of 96 later we have been all left licking our wounds. However after all I’m not bitter within the slightest. Rob Walker stated he thought Selby was proper again to his finest through the draw however I’m not so positive of that, at his finest he was a prolific finalist and winner and though this season he has received two rating titles simply these days he appears to be discovering somebody ultimately to beat him within the quarters or semi’s. This one might go shut however on stability I’ll take Selby to grind out a consequence once more.
Prediction: Selby 10-8
Neil Robertson (3) v Liang Wenbo
Saturday seventeenth 2.30pm (TBC), Sunday 18th 7pm
Now in case you are a believer in backing the person in kind, look no additional than Neil Robertson. A dismantling of O’Sullivan within the newest ultimate of which Ronnie stated the like he had by no means seen sees him enter Day 1 as many individuals’s concept of the champion. He’s no stranger to this after all and to me it’s a thriller that he hasn’t at the very least made the ultimate once more since he received it. There’s a faculty of thought that claims he doesn’t just like the venue, some say he places an excessive amount of stress on himself, regardless of the purpose, it’s complicated to me why he’s underperformed right here for a decade. He faces a troublesome opener and if he will get by means of that he faces a really powerful second spherical too, which I believe will do him good and focus his thoughts, he’ll know he’ll must be close to his finest from the beginning if he’s going to progress and maybe that’s simply what he wants. He performed Liang right here within the first spherical final August and ran out a cushty 10-5 winner. In truth, each better of 19’s they’ve performed have been the identical rating and so they do say this stuff are available threes.
Prediction: Robertson 10-5
Jack Lisowski (14) v Ali Carter
Monday nineteenth 2.30pm, Tuesday twentieth 10am
Crash, bang, wallop. I don’t find out about socially distancing but when I used to be within the entrance row for this one I’d be carrying a crash helmet the way in which these two will probably be going at it. They final met at this stage two years in the past and it was Carter who got here out on prime there 10-6, so once more we’re seeing one other re-run. Ali is clearly in nice kind for the time being and has has two stable performances behind him whereas Jack remains to be ready in useless to get to a rating ultimate and never have Judd watching him from the opposite chair. It’s a measure of how properly Jack has performed this season that he’s sixth on the one 12 months rating record with solely the true large hitters of the sport forward of him, Ali is additional down in seventeenth however has positively saved his finest snooker for the top of the season. I’m simply going to take a seat and luxuriate in this one, by way of a winner I’ll take the participant with the confirmed Crucible pedigree to prevail.
Prediction: Carter 10-8
Barry Hawkins (11) v Matt Selt
Tuesday twentieth 7pm, Wednesday twenty first 7pm
As soon as once more a repeat of the opening weekend in 2015 and a match that once more I loved dwell within the area that went all the way in which. I recall Barry had a 9-4 lead and Selt then produced some excellent snooker to degree at 9-9 just for a relieved Hawk to unclip his wings and fall over the road within the decider. Selt performed beautifully once more to qualify and knocked in three centuries in each his matches together with 140, 137 and 135, so something like that kind provides Hawkins an actual drawback. Barry himself has had a really constant season and is seventh on the one 12 months record having most not too long ago overwhelmed Judd 10-7 and misplaced a decider to Ronnie within the Tour Championship. I believe this one might be simply nearly as good as their tie six years in the past and (don’t giggle) I’d anticipate a number of centuries alongside the way in which. One other one to take a seat again and luxuriate in I believe.
Prediction: Selt 10-9
Kyren Wilson (6) v Gary Wilson
Monday nineteenth 10am and 7pm
OK, OK Wilson’s going to win, simply depart the jokes to me yeah? Final 12 months’s finalist Kyren takes on the shock semi-finalist of 2019 Gary in what’s now to be often called the Wilson Derby. They confronted one another most not too long ago at The Masters a number of months in the past when Gary was nonetheless within the prime 16, Kyren working out a cushty 6-2 winner there. Gary has admitted to being in a darkish place for fairly some time and claimed he was determined through the qualifiers to get again right here and style the expertise once more. If he manages to win I believe he’ll be prime pickings for Rob Walker’s quest to get somebody crying so hold a watery eye out for that. I believe Kyren in all probability has that bit additional of the 2 and I anticipate this one to go along with the seedings.
Prediction: Wilson (solely joking), Kyren 10-6
Shaun Murphy (7) v Darkish Mavis
Wednesday twenty first 10am, Thursday twenty second 1pm
It’s important to return to 2003 this time, however once more these two have met right here earlier than aswell at this stage, Murphy successful 10-8 with a formidable three centuries as well. Quick ahead 18 years and the person no person besides Rob Walker calls the Battler from Hastings, Darkish Mavis is again to tackle the adopted Irishman. It’s been a irritating season for Murphy who at one level within the season spent one of the best a part of three stable months in Milton Keynes, sufficient to drive anybody insane at one of the best of occasions, unable to return house and generally not having any matches to play so he arguably deserves a break. He’s had a slight one right here with the draw I’d say, Mavis was nearly as good as out of the qualifiers earlier than an impressed comeback in opposition to Jamie Clarke so he’ll see something to any extent further as a bonus, however I’d say Murphy ought to get off to a stable begin right here in opposition to one of many extra beneficial attracts.
Prediction: Murphy 10-6
Yan Bingtao (10) v Martin Gould
Saturday seventeenth 10am, Sunday 18th 10am
That is an fascinating one, notably as will probably be the primary time Yan may have performed in entrance of a crowd because the Masters Champion with the hopes of a whole nation now starting to switch to him from Ding as the primary potential Chinese language world champion. He faces a really difficult opener in Pinner Potter Gould, who Ken very unkindly stated seemed extra like Harry Potter through the qualifiers. It was Gould who received a decider on their solely assembly this season after Yan had overwhelmed him on all three earlier events. Yan has been pretty quiet since his Masters triumph and been overwhelmed by gamers means down the rankings since so it’s truthful to say that of the 2, Gould might be coming into this with momentum and a few actual match sharpness. This may depend for lots within the first spherical right here.
Prediction: Gould 10-8
Dave Gilbert (15) v Chris Wakelin
Saturday seventeenth 7.30pm, Sunday 18th 2.30pm
The person with one of the best stroll on track in snooker is again in his stripy socks to try to emulate his efficiency in 2019 when he was only one kick away from reaching the ultimate and successful me stacks of cash at 190/1. He faces the promising Chris Wakelin who will probably be one other Rob Walker waterworks goal following his emotional interview after qualifying the place he revealed he owes all the pieces to his coach as he was about to jack all of it in a number of months in the past. Dave hasn’t had a terrific season and finds himself means down in 52nd place on the one 12 months record because of this so he actually must have his capturing boots on right here to face any probability of retaining his prime 16 place. Chris has been right here earlier than and misplaced narrowly to Judd so he’ll be eager to place that proper, it’s a troublesome name this one and no consequence would shock me, Chris might properly spring a shock and get to have one other crack at Judd within the second spherical.
Prediction: Wakelin 10-7
Judd Trump (2) v Liam Highfield
Tuesday twentieth 2.30pm, Wednesday twenty first 2.30pm
The world primary and event favorite Mr Moneybags himself Judd involves the desk on Tuesday with out the burden of the Crucible Curse on his shoulders this time. He’s once more prime of the one 12 months record and appears set to be primary seed within the sport for whereas to come back except one thing drastic occurs right here. Liam Highfield comes right here for the second time having misplaced to Mark Allen in 2018 and will probably be buoyed by his win excessive seed Zhou Yuelong to qualify. He’d beforehand come by means of two deciders so he used up all however two of his quota of frames to get right here. My guess is that Judd will probably be wanting past the primary two rounds to see who he’ll have to beat to make the semi-finals, my guess can be Murphy. I’ll be sincere, it’s very troublesome to see past him successful this quarter and as soon as he will get to the one desk arrange I believe he’ll begin the naughty snooker up and switch it up a notch. He’s obtained lots extra world titles in him and I believe his subsequent one will probably be this 12 months.
Prediction: Judd 10-4
PREDICTED WORLD CHAMPION: Judd Trump
PREDICTED RUNNER UP: Mark Allen
PREDICTED DARK HORSE: Jamie Jones
BETS I HAVE DONE:
Sam Craigie or Jamie Jones to succeed in the semi-finals, requested throughout qualifiers at 45/1 with Ladbrokes (now not obtainable).
A century to be made in each match at The Crucible at 15/1 with Ladbrokes.
100 or extra centuries at The Crucible at 17/2 with Ladbrokes
MATCH BETS:
First Spherical 4 timer pays round 24/1 – Gould, Walden, Bingham and Carter
Over 16 frames in these matches: Lisowski/Carter, Maguire/Jones, Hawkins/Selt, Yan/Gould and Over 15 frames in Selby/Maflin – acca pays round 18/1.
Over 2 centuries in these 5 matches: Ding/Bingham, Higgins/Tian, Allen/Lyu, Murphy/Mavis, Hawkins/Selt – acca pays round 19/1.
To make the very best break of the championship: Stuart Bingham at 28/1, Liang Wenbo at 130/1, Kurt Maflin at 130/1 and Matt Selt at 160/1
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