World Snooker Championship 2025 Qualification Roundup: Top Betting Strategies for Underdog Contenders
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Let the 2025 Snooker World Championship Commence This Weekend!
Get ready for the thrilling showdown starting next weekend
Dust off your cue sticks and grab a seat by the television, sports enthusiasts! The 2025 Snooker World Championship is gearing up for an amazing run starting this Saturday. Here's a lowdown on the 16 talented players who've secured their spot in the prestigious tournament, along with some entertaining betting tips for the underdogs:
Which Contenders Have Qualified for the 2025 Snooker World Championship?
The upcoming Snooker World Championship 2025 is just a few days away, and the top 16 players, as per the WST World Ranking, have automatically secured their place in the tournament. Additionally, 16 more players emerged victorious from the grueling qualifiers. Let's take a look at the list of players who have represented well in the qualifiers:
- Zak Surety (73)
- Chris Wakelin (20)
- Daniel Wells (49)
- David Gilbert (23)
- Zhao Xintong
- Zhou Yuelong (32)
- Ryan Day (36)
- Ben Woollaston (44)
- Matthew Selt (34)
- Pang Junxu (27)
- Ali Carter (18)
- Lei Peifan (39)
- Wu Yize (22)
- Fan Zhengyi (46)
- Hossein Vafaei (24)
- Joe O'Connor (30)
Although they are qualifiers, some of these players exhibit promising strength that could put them on the path to victory. In fact, last year's Snooker World Championship finalist was none other than Jak Jones, a qualifier himself.
While Judd Trump, Mark Selby, and Ronnie O'Sullivan are the bookies' favorites, let's scrutinize some great potential outsiders for sports betting:
Zhao Xintong: The Strongest Qualifier
Zhao Xintong, 28, is bound to pique the interest of seasoned snooker fans, having demonstrated exceptional talent in the qualifiers. Zhao, once considered one of China's top prospects, was handed a 20-month ban due to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. Since returning, he has displayed impressive performances. As he plays as an amateur following his ban, he began the qualifiers from the ground up.
His stunning performances throughout the qualifiers have made him a force to be reckoned with, as evidenced by landing four century breaks in his first match against Ka Wai Cheung, 26. After this, he defeated Long Zehuang, 28, Lyu Haotian, 27, and Elliot Slessor, 30. Bookmakers are offering a quote of 12.00 on Zhao Xintong winning the tournament.
David Gilbert: Semi-Finalist in 2024
David Gilbert, 43, also qualified for the Snooker World Championship 2025. Known amongst snooker fans, Gilbert reached the semi-finals in the tournament last year. Gilbert wasn't at his best in the current season, but he had an impressive run in the Snooker World Championship qualifiers. As his world ranking guaranteed him a spot in the main draw, he only needed to win two matches to qualify.
Gilbert claimed victories against Gong Chenzhi 10:6 and Aaron Hill 9:9 in a nail-biting decider. Despite the odds being stacked against him (current odds are 50.00), Gilbert could still be a dark horse that sports bettors might want to consider.
Other Significant Absentee Players
While players like Zhao and Gilbert have secured a spot for the 2025 Snooker World Championship, several strong players surprisingly missed the cut this year:
- Jack Lisowski, 33, who is ranked 25th in the world, lost to Zak Surety 8:10 in the third round, making this the first time in three years he won't be at the World Championship.
- Gary Wilson, 39, also will not attend the Crucible Theatre after losing the decider to Daniel Wells in the fourth round.
Other notable players absent this year are Stuart Bingham, 48, Jackson Page, 23, and Jimmy Robertson, 38.
Joe O'Connor: A Promising Up-and-Comer
Joe O'Connor, 29, has made his way to the 2025 Snooker World Championship. He defeated Iulian Boiko in the third round and Jackson Page yesterday. O'Connor represents a promising talent as he is yet to reach his full potential. He previously reached the final of the World Open but was defeated by John Higgins, 49. In the 2024 Snooker World Championship, O'Connor pulled off a major upset against Mark Selby in the first round, and current odds are 33.00 to bet on him.
With a number of skillful qualifiers this year, sports bettors have the chance to back an underdog. Perhaps another qualifier will make it to the final once again. Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage of the Snooker World Championship from our team at OnlineCasinosDeutschland.com in coming weeks!
What teams are the bookies favoring for the Snooker World Championship 2025? Judd Trump, Mark Selby, and Ronnie O'Sullivan are the favorites according to sports-betting odds.
Snooker enthusiasts might want to pay attention to Zhao Xintong, named as the strongest qualifier for the 2025 Snooker World Championship. He's demonstrated impressive performances in the qualifiers, making four century breaks in his first match.
David Gilbert, a semi-finalist in the 2024 Snooker World Championship, also qualified. Despite not performing well in the current season, Gilbert made it to the main draw and claimed impressive victories in the qualifiers.
Although several strong players like Jack Lisowski and Gary Wilson missed the cut for this year's Snooker World Championship, up-and-comers like Joe O'Connor will be showcasing their potential. O'Connor previously reached the final of the World Open and pulled off an upset against Mark Selby in the first round of the 2024 Snooker World Championship.
