World Snooker Championship 2025 Qualification Completed: Top Betting Tips for Underdogs
The 2025 Snooker World Championship kicks off next weekend
Next Saturday marks the commencement of the 2025 Snooker World Championship. The tournament, most prestigious in snooker, will feature the elite 16 players who secured their spot via the qualifying rounds.
These players have ascended the ranks in the WST World Ranking, with the top 16 candidates automatically seeded for the event. The remaining 16 slots were contested in recent qualifying matches, with the following players emerging victorious:
- Zak Surety (rank 73)
- Chris Wakelin (rank 20)
- Daniel Wells (rank 49)
- David Gilbert (rank 23)
- Zhao Xintong
- Zhou Yuelong (rank 32)
- Ryan Day (rank 36)
- Ben Woollaston (rank 44)
- Matthew Selt (rank 34)
- Pang Junxu (rank 27)
- Ali Carter (rank 18)
- Lei Peifan (rank 39)
- Wu Yize (rank 22)
- Fan Zhengyi (rank 46)
- Hossein Vafaei (rank 24)
- Joe O'Connor (rank 30)
Despite being qualifiers, several of these players may have a legitimate shot at the title. Last year's runner-up, Jak Jones, a qualifier, demonstrated this potential when he reached the final of the 2024 Snooker World Championship.
As the betting favorites, Judd Trump, Mark Selby, and Ronnie O'Sullivan have been highlighted by bookmakers. However, the underdogs with considerable betting potential include:
Zhao Xintong: Strong candidate
Zhao Xintong, 28, is a familiar figure among snooker enthusiasts. Once considered one of the greatest Chinese prospects, he faced a 20-month ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. After returning, he has been impressive with strong performances, particularly in the World Championship qualifiers.
Zhao Xintong made a mark during the qualifiers, with outstanding performances. In his initial match against Ka Wai Cheung, 26, he made an impressive four century breaks. He then defeated Long Zehuang, Lyu Haotian, and Elliot Slessor, as shown in this video:
With current betting odds of 12.00 on Zhao winning, he is likely to be one of the toughest opponents for the seeded players.
David Gilbert: Semifinalist in 2024
David Gilbert, 43, is another qualified player for the 2025 Snooker World Championship. Known among snooker fans for reaching the semifinals last year, he has had a relatively quiet season and hasn't got far in major tournaments this season.
However, he maintained a strong presence during the World Championship qualifiers, requiring only two wins to secure his spot. His victories came against Gong Chenzhi, 18, and Aaron Hill, 23, with the match against the latter going to a decider at 9-9, which Gilbert won.
Gilbert's betting odds to win the tournament are currently set at 50.00.
Notable absences
While players like Zhao, Gilbert, and others have qualified for the 2025 Snooker World Championship, some strong contenders will not be participating this year.
This includes Jack Lisowski, ranked 25th in the world, who was defeated by Zak Surety in the third round. This will mark Lisowski's absence from the World Championship for the first time in three years. Gary Wilson, 39, also lost the decider to Daniel Wells in the fourth round.
Other notable players missing from this year's championship are Stuart Bingham, Jackson Page, and Jimmy Robertson.
Joe O'Connor: promising talent
Joe O'Connor, 29, is also set to compete in the 2025 Snooker World Championship. He defeated Iulian Boiko, 19, in the third round and Jackson Page yesterday evening.
O'Connor is seen as a rising star yet to reach his full potential. In the 2024/2025 season, he made it to the final of the World Open but ultimately lost to John Higgins.
In the 2024 Snooker World Championship, O'Connor stunned fans with a first-round victory against four-time world champion Mark Selby. His current betting odds to win are 33.00.
A qualifier in the final?
With several strong players among the qualifiers, sports betting enthusiasts have an opportunity to back an underdog. Last year saw a qualifier reach the final, and that possibility remains for this year's championship.
Our news team from OnlineCasinosDeutschland.com will provide comprehensive coverage of the Snooker World Championship in the coming weeks.
What are the chances for Zhao Xintong and David Gilbert in the sports-betting market for the 2025 Snooker World Championship? Zhao Xintong, with his impressive performances in the qualifiers, has current betting odds of 12.00, while David Gilbert, despite having a relatively quiet season, is listed at 50.00.
