You would have got pretty healthy odds if you were to predict the semi-final line-up of the 2024 World Championship a fortnight ago.
Three qualifiers and the 12th seed make up a memorable quartet of players heading into Thursday’s semi-finals, all looking to make that last jump to the Bank Holiday finale.
2015 world champion Stuart Bingham is joined by Kyren Wilson, David Gilbert and Jak Jones as we await more tension inside the Crucible.
Let’s take a closer look at the semi-finals.
Kyren Wilson -3.5 handicap vs David Gilbert
Kyren Wilson Over 2.5 centuries
Wilson now finds himself positioned as the 11/8 FAV for the 2024 World Championship and at 12th seed is the highest ranked player left in the competition.
His form suggests that he is the rightful favourite. He has improved round after round inside the Crucible, dropping just 15 frames in his three wins so far, racking up four centuries in the process.
But the only man to better that century tally is his semi-final opponent David Gilbert.
Gilbert’s six centuries have helped him past Luca Brecel, Robert Milkins and Stephen Maguire and as the 31st seed is a shock winner of a tough top quarter of the draw.
This race to 17 is where Crucible experience will be key and Wilson has much more than the “Farmer”.
Wilson finished runner-up at the 2020 event and we’re backing him to make his second final with some breathing space against a capable and high-scoring Gilbert.
Jak Jones to beat Stuart Bingham
Jak Jones has been a revelation over the past 12 months.
The 44th seed has gone one better than in 2023 by reaching a maiden World Championship semi-final and he has done so without breaking too much of a sweat.
The Welshman has sent Zhang Anda (11), Si Jiahui (23) and Judd Trump (3) all packing across the last fortnight, playing some of the best defensive snooker we have seen for some time on the baize.
Stuart Bingham is a former champion from 2015 and his scoring prowess can’t be questioned, but if Jones is able to keep “Ball-run” away from the reds, then it’ll be the Welshman that keeps chalking up the frames.
We’re backing Jones in this clash of styles. As good as Bingham looked against O’Sullivan he was still missing easy balls on occasion, and Jones’ temperament looks good enough to capitalise.
Snooker Betting Offers & Free Bets
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