2018 World Championship

[Mr Snooker]

would anyone be interested in a prediction contest throughout the world champions, starting out with the second round of qualifiers right through to final on May 7, say 5 points for the correct winner and also 10 if the lower ranked player wins and 20 points for the correct match score, also the highest break of the qualifiers and TV Stages of the event as well for 5 extra points. You can also predict quarterfinals, but the semi finals, the final and the world champion and you get 5 points for each if correct.
If you wish you can also predict the first round matches for fun

[JimMalone]

I can't be bothered to go into any great detail, but I'm always up for a good prediction contest. :smile:

Here are my picks:

Section 1: Ryan Day - Easy pick, he is having the best season of his life and this section is quite easy. He's been going behind early on in matches quite a few times recently, then showed good composure to come back, so I think the longer matches will suit him very nicely.
Section 2: Zhou Yuelong - Not much to say here, other than the fact that Chinese youngsters have traditionally played very well in World Championship qualifiers. Quite a few have reached the Crucible in the past, then went on to have fairly mediocre careers, but I think Zhou has already proved himself as a player, so there is no real danger of that happening.
Section 3: Xiao Guodong - While I do think Mark Joyce is a little underrated as a player, he's never reached the Crucible before, so I have to go with Xiao here.
Section 4: Martin Gould - He can be a little unreliable, so he is by no means a certainty here, but he is still by far the best player in his section.
Section 5: Graeme Dott - I was proved wrong last year when I basically dismissed Dott's chances at the Crucible. I won't be making the same mistake here, especially as he has had a much better season this time, and this section is quite easy.
Section 6: Michael Holt - First one where we disagree, although I must admit it's a tough choice... Weak section all in all, so anything could happen here. I just haven't been impressed with Milkins at all lately though, so I'll go with Holt.
Section 7: Li Hang - Okay, most of his good results this season came before new year, but he just looked so composed and patient in the China Championship and the World Open. I think this format will suit him perfectly, and I can potentially see him getting the better of Lyu.
Section 8: Mark King - With all due respect to the other veterans here, King is the only one still playing somewhere close to his best form, so he surely has to be the favourite.
Section 9: Liang Wenbo - Disappointing form this season, so I could see him going out in a more difficult section, but he got quite lucky with the draw here. Jamie Jones could still be a danger though.
Section 10: Jack Lisowski - You may remember that I never really rated Lisowski particularly highly, even a few years back when everyone was going mad about him, but I think he's made a big step forward this season. McManus may have all the experience, but Lisowski is playing by far the better snooker at the moment, and not just in the short format.
Section 11: Ricky Walden - Tough call, Cao Yupeng is a big favourite according to this season's results, but I haven't forgotten how good Walden is when he plays to his potential. I just hope he can rediscover his form at some point.
Section 12: Joe Perry - Despite Craigie's run last week, I think it's between Davis and Perry here, with the latter being a comfortable favourite.
Section 13: Yan Bingtao - Another easy call for me, I can't see anyone from this section beating Yan in a two-session match at the moment.
Section 14: David Gilbert - This one is a 50/50 for me between Gilbert and Wilson. Recent form is on Wilson's side, but I think Gilbert is perhaps a slightly superior player when on form.
Section 15: Michael White - Frustrating player... Technically he's now won two ranking events, but in reality he's never even been to the semi-finals of any event outside of the short format, even though he is almost 27 now and has been on the scene for a long time. But that criticism easily applies to the likes of Robertson and Baird as well, so I'll go with the bigger name here.
Section 16: Stephen Maguire - Early on in the season Vafei could have been a tricky opponent here, but I'm not sure what's happened to his form in recent months. Has to be Maguire really, by far the best player in this section, and his recent form has been quite respectable as well.

There we go, we differ in 6 picks out of the 16. Should be interesting. :smile:

Good predictions. I agree Lisowski, Li and White are the logical choices in their sections, but I wanted to go for some surprises.
I also agree Gilbert is a slightly superior player to Wilson, but I think recent form and nerves may give the advantage to Wilson.

[Mr Snooker]

Yes I would like to see Jimmy qualifier, but Sam Craigie as had a good season and I think Dominic dale could be close, also thought about McManus on experience but he as had a poor season and beaten by a lot of lower ranked players in the first round, but the two that stand out for me in round one are Jackson Page and Yan Bingtao, I think if Jackson Page could overcome nerves and the occasion it will be a close game and could beat Yan. also Peter Ebon V James Wattana could be close two players who have played on the one table set up before. and of the invites Jamie Cope could have a good run. I love doing predictions myself be nice if someone could do a prediction contest for the world championships

[Odrl]

Anybody else wants to pick the 16 players who qualify for the World Championship? I'd be interested what others think :smile:.

I can't be bothered to go into any great detail, but I'm always up for a good prediction contest. :smile:

Here are my picks:

Section 1: Ryan Day - Easy pick, he is having the best season of his life and this section is quite easy. He's been going behind early on in matches quite a few times recently, then showed good composure to come back, so I think the longer matches will suit him very nicely.
Section 2: Zhou Yuelong - Not much to say here, other than the fact that Chinese youngsters have traditionally played very well in World Championship qualifiers. Quite a few have reached the Crucible in the past, then went on to have fairly mediocre careers, but I think Zhou has already proved himself as a player, so there is no real danger of that happening.
Section 3: Xiao Guodong - While I do think Mark Joyce is a little underrated as a player, he's never reached the Crucible before, so I have to go with Xiao here.
Section 4: Martin Gould - He can be a little unreliable, so he is by no means a certainty here, but he is still by far the best player in his section.
Section 5: Graeme Dott - I was proved wrong last year when I basically dismissed Dott's chances at the Crucible. I won't be making the same mistake here, especially as he has had a much better season this time, and this section is quite easy.
Section 6: Michael Holt - First one where we disagree, although I must admit it's a tough choice... Weak section all in all, so anything could happen here. I just haven't been impressed with Milkins at all lately though, so I'll go with Holt.
Section 7: Li Hang - Okay, most of his good results this season came before new year, but he just looked so composed and patient in the China Championship and the World Open. I think this format will suit him perfectly, and I can potentially see him getting the better of Lyu.
Section 8: Mark King - With all due respect to the other veterans here, King is the only one still playing somewhere close to his best form, so he surely has to be the favourite.
Section 9: Liang Wenbo - Disappointing form this season, so I could see him going out in a more difficult section, but he got quite lucky with the draw here. Jamie Jones could still be a danger though.
Section 10: Jack Lisowski - You may remember that I never really rated Lisowski particularly highly, even a few years back when everyone was going mad about him, but I think he's made a big step forward this season. McManus may have all the experience, but Lisowski is playing by far the better snooker at the moment, and not just in the short format.
Section 11: Ricky Walden - Tough call, Cao Yupeng is a big favourite according to this season's results, but I haven't forgotten how good Walden is when he plays to his potential. I just hope he can rediscover his form at some point.
Section 12: Joe Perry - Despite Craigie's run last week, I think it's between Davis and Perry here, with the latter being a comfortable favourite.
Section 13: Yan Bingtao - Another easy call for me, I can't see anyone from this section beating Yan in a two-session match at the moment.
Section 14: David Gilbert - This one is a 50/50 for me between Gilbert and Wilson. Recent form is on Wilson's side, but I think Gilbert is perhaps a slightly superior player when on form.
Section 15: Michael White - Frustrating player... Technically he's now won two ranking events, but in reality he's never even been to the semi-finals of any event outside of the short format, even though he is almost 27 now and has been on the scene for a long time. But that criticism easily applies to the likes of Robertson and Baird as well, so I'll go with the bigger name here.
Section 16: Stephen Maguire - Early on in the season Vafei could have been a tricky opponent here, but I'm not sure what's happened to his form in recent months. Has to be Maguire really, by far the best player in this section, and his recent form has been quite respectable as well.

There we go, we differ in 6 picks out of the 16. Should be interesting. :smile:

[JimMalone]

Eurosport Player is showing Selt - Ng and Gould - Davison.

[JimMalone]

Here are my Qualifiers Jim, Thanks for the excellent review

Qualifier One : Ryan Day



Qualifier Two : Tom Ford


Qualifier : Three Xiao Guodong

Qualifier: Four Martin Gould

Qualifier Five : Dominic Dale

Qualifier Six : Michael Holt

Qualifier Seven : Lyu Haotian

Matthew Stevens – Ryan Thomerson
Fergal O'Brien – Yuan Sijun
Ken Doherty – Josh Boileau
Mark King - Gerard Greene


Qualifier Eight : Matthew Stevens

Qualifier Nine : Liang Wenbo

Qualifier Ten : Jack Lisowski

Qualifier: Eleven : Ricky Walden


Qualifier: Sam Craigie


Qualifier Thirteen : Yan Bingtao

Qualifier Fourteen : David Gilbert

Qualifier Fifteen : Jimmy Robertson

Qualifier 16 : Stephen Maguire

Thanks! You're welcome :smile:

Good picks. I thought about Craigie as well, but somehow found it to risky. Can totally see it though. Would also be nice if Matthew Stevens and David Gilbert could qualify.

[Mr Snooker]

Live matches here https://sportstream365.com/other just search world championship through search or scroll down to the players names happy viewing :snooker:

[Mr Snooker]

Here are my Qualifiers Jim, Thanks for the excellent review

Qualifier One : Ryan Day



Qualifier Two : Tom Ford


Qualifier : Three Xiao Guodong

Qualifier: Four Martin Gould

Qualifier Five : Dominic Dale

Qualifier Six : Michael Holt

Qualifier Seven : Lyu Haotian

Matthew Stevens – Ryan Thomerson
Fergal O'Brien – Yuan Sijun
Ken Doherty – Josh Boileau
Mark King - Gerard Greene


Qualifier Eight : Matthew Stevens

Qualifier Nine : Liang Wenbo

Qualifier Ten : Jack Lisowski

Qualifier: Eleven : Ricky Walden


Qualifier: Sam Craigie


Qualifier Thirteen : Yan Bingtao

Qualifier Fourteen : David Gilbert

Qualifier Fifteen : Jimmy Robertson

Qualifier 16 : Stephen Maguire

[andy-w]

Brilliant. Thank you

[DeanH]

Anyone know where I can see who’s playing on what days? I’ve got tickets for the 27th so keen to find out possible matches on that day. Cheers.

Still too early to tell, but the possible seeded players could be:
Selby
Allen
Fu
Hawkins
Carter
O'Sullivan
K Wilson
Murphy

- their opponents still to be determined.
http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp...page=30&page=5

also http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/ but too early for main event

[gavpowell]

The Whirlwind

https://twitter.com/WorldSnooker1/st...41474897235969

So all these years he's been talking about how he still has a good chance, but he's not even been preparing properly?

[andy-w]

Anyone know where I can see who’s playing on what days? I’ve got tickets for the 27th so keen to find out possible matches on that day. Cheers.

[JimMalone]

Anybody else wants to pick the 16 players who qualify for the World Championship? I'd be interested what others think :smile:.

[Stormwatch]

The Whirlwind

https://twitter.com/WorldSnooker1/st...41474897235969

[OmaMiesta]

Looking at it I can’t see anyone in the bottom half that will give O’Sullivan any real problems over the distance but you never know.

The only thing I see giving O Sullivan problems is the fact that hes going to be playing first 2 days straight and then not playing again until the Friday of next week lol.