Snooker World Championship 2018 Preview
Apr 6, 2018
The 2018 Snooker World Championship will take place from 21st April – 7th May at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, UK. It looks like it is going to be another tournament stacked with players on the very top of their game, with around a dozen or so having a very good chance of winning.
Below is a guide to some of the players who are sure to make some headlines in Sheffield this year. It will highlight the latest odds available from Betfair for each player to win the World Championship. If you see a player whose odds you like, you can check out the latest free bet offers to bet on the 2018 Snooker World Championship.
Ronnie O’Sullivan
Odds: 3/1
Whether he plays well or plays poorly, O’Sullivan always draws the attention of the media in major snooker tournaments. There is no point in making assumptions about his form or chances of winning – if he is in the right mood he will blow everyone else away.
Mark Selby
Odds: 9/2
Last year’s champion and winner of three of the last four tournaments. Selby rarely puts a foot wrong, although he did fall afoul of the Crucible Curse the year after winning his maiden World Championship. The world number one is remarkably consistent and looks in good shape to make it four world titles.
Judd Trump:
Odds: 15/2
Judd Trump is one of those players whose vast experience belies his young age. The 28-year-old has won eight ranking tournaments so far in his career, putting him ahead of legends like Ray Reardon and Cliff Thorburn. He has made the World Championship Final before (2011), but he crashed out in the first round last year.
Ding Junhui:
Odds: 12/1
Is there a better player than Ding Junhui notto have won the World Championship? Perhaps Jimmy White would lay claim to that tag, but it is hard to put a finger on why a player as talented as Ding is yet to win the big one. Those odds look pretty big for a man who surely has in him to win the tournament is talent deserves.
John Higgins:
Odds: 14/1
The four-time champion and runner-up last year, Higgins continues to keep the years at bay. The 42-year-old but on a good showing losing 18-15 to Selby in the Final last year, but you would expect the odds to be a little higher for the veteran player.
Mark Allen:
Odds: 22/1
You would have to go all the way back to Mark Williams in 2003 to find the last time a player won both the Masters and the World Championship in the same season. That’s the goal for 2018 Masters Champion Mark Allen this year. The Northern Irishman was scintillating in that tournament and will have plenty of backing to succeed in Sheffield.
Shaun Murphy:
Odds: 22/1
It is now 13 years since Murphy’s sole World Championship triumph. His record has not been dazzling over the last couple of years, going out in the first round in 2016 and the second round last year. However, he should take confidence from a big win in the Final of Champions of Champions tournament against Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Luca Brecel:
Odds 50/1
Finishing up with a long shot – Belgian wonderkid Luca Brecel. The likes of Higgins and O’Sullivan were already seasoned professionals before Brecel was born, but the 22-year-old looks like he has a big career ahead of him. He won his first ever ranking event – the China Open – this year and is now up to number 11 in the world rankings. Could play a big part in the future of the game.