The best from the World Snooker Tour have descended on the Steel City as they look to compete for snooker’s biggest prize – the World Snooker Championship.
It’s a 17-day marathon at Sheffield’s world-famous Crucible, where players need both mental fortitude and physical stamina to go all the way and lift that famous Silver Lady.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will kick off the tournament on Saturday morning in his bid to win an eighth championship. The Rocket, who equalled Stephen Hendry’s record last year, is the tournament favourite at 4/1 with Betfred to win this year.
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He’s only won two tournaments this year, the Hong Kong Masters and Champion of Champions, but don’t let that put you off backing Ronnie. He’s arguably snooker’s greatest player for a reason, and there are not many players on tour who can put a halt to an O’Sullivan masterclass.
The in-form players this year, Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy, are two players who have the game to stop the Rocket.
Shaun Murphy has been drawn on the same side of the draw as former champions Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and Mark Williams. However, by their usual standards, it’s been a poor season for Trump and Williams.
Murphy has won the Players Championship and Tour Championship. After two seasons without a tournament victory, he enters what will be the 18th year since he lifted the trophy.
He’s 9/1 with Betfred to lift the trophy and 9/4 to win his quarter. Could The Magician join the list of multiple champions?
Mark Allen is the player of the year. He’s won three ranking events, including the UK Championship, with a final and semi-final also reached. He’s 12/1 to win the tournament, and as he sits on the other side of the draw from Ronnie O’Sullivan, that offers each-way value on Allen.
He wouldn’t face the Rocket until the Final – available at 20/1 with Betfred.
The only negative for Mark Allen at the World Championship is that he’s only reached the single table set-up at The Crucible once before.
Of the other strong contenders, you can’t look past Mark Selby. The Jester from Leicester has recovered from last season with two ranking tournament wins, two semi-finals and three quarter-finals reached.
He’s a four-time World Champion with the mental fortitude to battle through tough matches and frames. Who can forget that 85 minute and 22 second frame at last year’s World Championship between Selby and Yan Bingtao?
Mark Selby is the 11/2 second favourite with Betfred and 6/4 to win his quarter, with the latter looking like a great bet.
TIPS:
Ronnie O’Sullivan – 21/20
Shaun Murphy – 9/4
Mark Allen – 9/4
Mark Selby – 6/4
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Mark Selby – 11/1
18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
