World Snooker Championship 2025 Qualification Wrapped Up: Top Betting Strategies for Underdogs
Revamped Guide: 2025 Snooker World Championship's Underdog Contenders
The 2025 Snooker World Championship kicks off next weekend16 players clinched a spot in this year's marquee snooker event through qualificationWe've uncovered the top underdog betting tips for this unsung sports category
Glimpse at the 16 Qualifying Players for the 2025 Snooker World Championship
The 2025 Snooker World Championship is fast approaching, and the 16 players who secured their place through intense competition in the qualifiers will go head-to-head at the prestigious event. These players earned their spots by ranking among the top 16 in the World Snooker Tour's (WST) World Ranking[Link in English].
Here's a rundown of the 16 qualifiers for this year's tournament:
- 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 these players qualified, some of them have excellent chances of capturing the title. Last year, Jak Jones, 31, a qualifier, made it all the way to the 2024 Snooker World Championship final.
While Judd Trump, 35, Mark Selby, 41, and Ronnie O'Sullivan, 49, are among the favorites according to bookmakers, we'll delve into the lesser-known players offering compelling potential for sports betting.
Insights: Zhao Xintong - The Strongest Qualifier
Zhao Xintong, aged 28, is recognized by many snooker aficionados. Despite serving a 20-month ban due to his connection to a match-fixing scandal [Link in English], Zhao has been making waves with his impressive performances since his return. Since he competes as an amateur after his ban, he needed to compete in the qualifiers from the initial round. His skill was apparent: In his opening match against Ka Wai Cheung, 26, he achieved an impressive four century breaks.
He then defeated Long Zehuang, 28, Lyu Haotian, 27, and Elliot Slessor, 30** [Video in English]:
Caption of post shared by WST (@worldsnookertour): Welcome back to the Crucible, Zhao! The former UK Champion fights his way through every round of the World Championship qualification and secures his return to the Crucible with a nail-biting 10:8 win over Elliot Slessor.
Zhao is likely to prove a formidable adversary for the seeded players. Sports betting fans can currently obtain odds of 12.00 on Zhao's victory.
David Gilbert - 2024 Semifinalist
David Gilbert, 43, is also set to participate in the Snooker World Championship 2025. Gilbert is known to many snooker fans, as he reached the semifinals of the competition last year.
Gilbert has experienced a relatively quiet season and hasn't made it to the final rounds of any significant tournaments. Nonetheless, his qualification for the Snooker World Championship went smoothly. Thanks to his world ranking, Gilbert only needed to win two matches to qualify.
Gilbert defeats Gong and Hill, but not favored for tournament win
Gilbert emerged victorious in his match against Gong Chenzhi, 18, and followed that up by defeating Aaron Hill, 23. The match went all the way to a deciding frame at 9:9, which Gilbert won.
However, bookmakers are skeptical of Gilbert's chances of winning the tournament. Gilbert's current sports betting odds stand at 50.00.
Lisowski, Wilson, and Bingham: Missing Mainstays
While players such as Zhao, Gilbert, and others have qualified for the 2025 Snooker World Championship, several strong players have surprisingly missed the cut and will not be present at the Crucible Theatre this year.
Jack Lisowski, 33, the world number 25, lost 8:10 to Zak Surety, 33, in the third round. This marks the first time since 2022 that Lisowski will not take part in the World Championship. Gary Wilson, 39, also lost his fourth-round decider against Daniel Wells, 36.
Other notable absentees this year include Stuart Bingham, 48, Jackson Page, 23, and Jimmy Robertson, 38, who all failed to qualify.
Joe O'Connor - A Rising Star with Promising Potential
Joe O'Connor, 29, is also making an appearance in the 2025 Snooker World Championship. O'Connor outlasted Iulian Boiko, 19, in the third round and defeated Jackson Page yesterday.
O'Connor is regarded as a promising prospect with untapped potential. In the 2024/2025 season, he reached the final of the World Open but lost to John Higgins, 49.
During the 2024 Snooker World Championship, O'Connor stunned the world by defeating four-time champion Mark Selby in the first round.
Those who place bets on O'Connor to emerge victorious can currently secure odds of 33.00.
Another Qualifier Headed for the Final?
Among the qualifiers for the 2025 Snooker World Championship, there are several strong players. Sports betting enthusiasts have the chance to back an underdog. Perhaps a qualifier will once again make it to the final.
The team of journalists from OnlineCasinosDeutschland.com will provide comprehensive coverage of the Snooker World Championship in the coming weeks.
What are the odds of another qualifier reaching the final in the 2025 Snooker World Championship?With the impressive performances of underdogs like Zhao Xintong and Joe O'Connor, sports-betting enthusiasts might find compelling opportunities in this unsung sports category.
