The Crucible takes centre stage this weekend as the 78th edition of the World Snooker Championship starts, with Ronnie O’Sullivan eyeing becoming world champion for a sixth time after being denied a third consecutive title by Mark Selby in last year’s final.
Ronnie O’Sullivan – 5/2 at Paddy Power and 888sport
Despite being one of the most experienced players in the field, you never quite know what to expect from the five-time world champion until he has played his first shot.
O’Sullivan pulled out of the recent China Open, but it wasn’t long ago he recorded that stunning 147 break against Matthew Selt at the UK Championship, before narrowly beating Judd Trump in the final.
It is certainly possible that the 39-year-old could rack up another world title in in Sheffield, but will he be in champion mood?
Mark Selby – 17/2 at Coral
Selby, meanwhile, will be hoping to break the ‘Crucible Curse’ – that is, he will hope to become the first first-time champion to successfully defend his title. The 31-year-old heads to Sheffield in good form too, having recently won the German Masters and China Open, becoming the only player to have won two competitions during a season that has so far produced eight different champions from the nine tournaments to date. That said, to add to his curse, no player that has won the China Open has gone on to triumph in the subsequent World Championship. The omens look bleak for Selby.
That said, 17/2 for the world number one player is remarkably good value.
Judd Trump – 6/1 at Betfred or William Hill
It’s nearly a year since Trump won his last ranking event – the Australian Goldfields Open – but does he have what it takes to secure a first world title?
At 6/1, he is considerably shorter that reigning champion Selby, but still only 25, Trump isn’t yet showing the kind of consistency it takes to be a world champion. That said, you only have to look at O’Sullivan to show that consistency isn’t always key.
Neil Robertson – 6/1 at bet365 or Stan James
The 2010 World Champion will be hoping for a successful end to the 2014/15 season. It’s been a decent year for the Australian, although he hasn’t hit the kind of peak form he did in 2013/14.
No doubt he’ll be a contender, and perhaps his previous winning experience will help him keep his nerve at the Crucible.
Best Bet: Mark Selby to win (e/w) – 17/2 at Coral
