Snooker betting tips: World Championship outright predictions, preview and best bets

Will the Crucible crown a new king or a returning legend? Explore our World Snooker Championship insights and read on to view the tips for this year’s top selections. Don’t forget to take advantage of the selected betting offers listed below to maximise your betting value.

Snooker betting tips: World Championship Outright Predictions

Can Consistency Outshine Flair in Sheffield’s Crucible Cauldron?

• Mark Selby has already captured three titles this season: British Open, Welsh Open, and Championship League.
• Zhao Xintong registered 12 centuries during qualifying, signalling exceptional scoring form on his return.
• Ronnie O’Sullivan hasn’t competed since January, leaving his sharpness under scrutiny despite past Crucible successes.

Our Tips

Each April, Sheffield transforms into a city draped in snooker’s rich tapestry, where sport and steel heritage collide in a uniquely British spectacle. The walk from the train station to the Crucible Theatre isn’t just a commute – it’s a pilgrimage for fans. The World Snooker Championship remains unmatched in its atmosphere, a crucible in both name and nature, where pressure forges legends over seventeen testing days.

This tournament does more than crown a world champion – it rekindles our passion for a sport built on nerve, nuance and pinpoint precision. The theatre itself becomes a character in the drama, its intimate setting amplifying the weight of every shot. As Kyren Wilson, the reigning titleholder, breaks the baize for this year’s curtain-raiser against Lei Peifan, Sheffield’s annual transformation is complete. From bustling pubs to hushed corners of the Winter Garden, the city hums with anticipation and history.

The draw has thrown up tantalising paths, with major names like Judd Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and Mark Selby all poised to make deep runs. Each carries a unique narrative into this year’s event – from O’Sullivan’s search for rhythm after time away, to Trump’s challenge to convert form into final triumph. But amid all this talent, one man stands out for his timing, temperament and tenacity.

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Best Bet: Mark Selby to Win

Why Back the Jester in 2025?

Mark Selby enters this year’s World Championship with momentum and steel in equal measure. His build-up to Sheffield has been timely, highlighted by an assertive run to the Tour Championship final earlier this month. There, despite eventually falling to John Higgins, Selby demonstrated composure under pressure and an ability to raise his level in clutch moments. What’s even more encouraging is the view from respected figures within the sport – many suggesting Selby is quietly hitting his peak at just the right moment.

This isn’t just about form, however. The draw has presented Selby with a favourable route, opening his campaign against fellow Leicester native Ben Woollaston, a match-up in which Selby holds the upper hand. Progression would likely lead to a second-round clash with either Si Jiahui or Dave Gilbert – again, opponents against whom Selby has historically enjoyed success.

Critically, his biggest rival in the top half may be Ronnie O’Sullivan. Yet while O’Sullivan’s class is undisputed, his readiness this year is in doubt. He has taken an extended break since January, struggling for rhythm and even publicly wrestling with confidence in his game. Selby, by contrast, has steadily collected titles this season, including the Welsh Open and British Open, reinforcing his competitive sharpness.

Should the two collide, Selby’s defensive mastery and strategic acumen could again frustrate O’Sullivan, especially in the longer format where Selby’s patience has proven unshakeable. Should Selby reach the semi-finals, a meeting with Kyren Wilson may await. Wilson’s season has been strong, but defending a maiden title at the Crucible has never been achieved in the modern era – a psychological burden that might weigh heavier as the rounds progress.

Trump, the tournament favourite, might lie in wait in the final. While the Bristolian has an easier passage to the latter stages, his track record in early rounds at the Crucible remains patchy, often leaving punters wary. Selby’s proven track record, allied with a well-balanced section of the draw and an increasing sense of confidence, makes him the standout candidate for a fifth world crown.

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