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The boys are returning to the baize for the big one!
World number one and reigning world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan kicks things off on Day 1 of the 2023 World Snooker Championships, as the “Rocket” look to blast towards an unprecedented eighth crown at the Crucible.
Alongside O’Sullivan’s opening round clash with Pang Junxu, we’re featuring a real pick’em between Stuart Bingham and David Gilbert, plus Luca Brecel’s attempt at winning his first match at the Crucible against Ricky Walden.
Let’s take a closer look at the Day 1 action:
Ronnie O’Sullivan -4.5 handicap to beat Pang Junxu at 5/4 with BetVictor* (Saturday 15th April, 10:00)
Don’t be blinkered by the head-to-head record between O’Sullivan and Junxu…
In their only previous meetings the Chinese player won 3-1 in the Championship League, but this best-of-five frame match behind close doors is a far cry from the bright lights of the Crucible.
Junxu may well have won 2021′s “Rookie of the Year” award on the WST but he’s up against a seven-time world champion and a man that feels at home in Sheffield.
Ronnie has a way of running away with these early World Championship fixtures; not since 2019 has he dropped more than five frames in the opening round.
We think this trend will continue in 2023 as O’Sullivan canters to a win with a -4.5 frame handicap.
Stuart Bingham to beat David Gilbert at 8/11 with bet365 (Saturday 15th April, 10:00)
There are bogey players and then there are bogey players…
Stuart Bingham has beaten David Gilbert 12 times out of 12 on the tour, including notable wins at the Masters, UK Championship, Players Championship and World Grand Prix.
Gilbert will be telling himself that things could be different in a race to 10, but an aggregate score of 52-21 isn’t happy reading for Gilbert.
Neither player has pulled up any trees on tour this season so form can be disregarded. We’re not sensing that it’ll be 13th time lucky for Gilbert in Sheffield.
Luca Brecel vs Ricky Walden – Match to go to Deciding Frame at 4/1 with bet365 (Saturday 15th April, 14:40)
Belgian potter Luca Brecel has been dumped out of the World Championships five times without winning a match.
He’ll be targetting Ricky Walden as his first Crucible victim on Saturday but their head-to-head record doesn’t read well for Brecel.
Walden enjoys a 6-3 advantage but has had a disappointing season on tour, exceeding the third round in a ranking tournament just once at the Scottish Open.
Both players come to Sheffield with their demons and a 10-9 thriller either way is priced well at 4/1.
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.