Dave1962

This is a tricky first-round draw for Mark Allen, who is ranked eight places higher than his dangerous opponent. However, he has won the last three meetings between these two players.

Sunderland have taken seven points from their last three away games. With Villa reaching the semi-final of the Europa League and a seven-point cushion for Champions League football next season, they may underperform, leaving the way open for Sunderland to get the win.

A win for Everton would see them move up to sixth in the table, two points behind Liverpool, who are fifth. In all competitions, Liverpool have lost their last four away games, while Everton have won their last two home Premiership games.

With Burnley looking set to be relegated at the end of the season and Forest still requiring points to move clear of the relegation zone, taking Forest to get the win. Forest should be full of confidence as their mid week win against Porto saw them reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.

All the pressure will be on the higher-ranked Barry Hawkins. Matthew Stevens is one of those players who probably never reached his full potential in the professional game. On his day, he is a dangerous player. Having beaten former world champion Stuart Bingham in the last round of qualifying, Stevens made it through to the next round.

When these two teams met earlier this season, the game finished with three goals scored. Both SC Freiburg's last home game and Heidenheim's last away game finished with at least three goals scored.

The last five home games played by Bayern Munich in all competitions have finished with at least three goals being scored. Earlier this season Bayern Munich put five past VfB Stuttgart, so now they are playing at home; another goal fest could be on the cards.

Top of the table, Arsenal travel to Man City. Arsenal have a six-point lead over Man City, who have a game in hand and a slightly lower goal difference. Arsenal have been so close to Premiership glory all season, and surely they cannot once again throw that away. For the last two seasons this fixture has finished in a draw. Arsenal have won their last two away Premiership games. Man City's last home Premiership game saw them draw against lowly Nottingham Forest. This match could well decide where the Premiership title goes at the end of the season, so stick with Arsenal to withstand the Man City onslaught and get the win.

The last couple of times Borussia Mönchengladbach have welcomed Mainz, the crowd has witnessed at least three goals in each game.

Mark Williams is ranked sixty-three places higher than his opponent. He is a three time world champion and should have to much experience at the crucible to allow Kowalski to produce a shock result.

In their last five meetings, Zhou Yuelong has won three of them. The latest was in the Scottish Open in December last year. He may well handle the pressure of World Championship first-round nerves better than his opponent to gain the win.

Ding Junhui comes into this match having lost his last four matches. One of those was against Marco Fu, who is ranked sixty places below David Gilbert. Gilbert is only ranked nine places lower than Ding, so if Ding continues to struggle with his form, Gilbert could reach the next round.

John Higgins is ranked eighteen places higher than his opponent, Ali Carter. They played each other twice in 2025, with each player winning once. Over this longer format, Higgins is the more consistent player of the two.

Both these players have won six of their last ten matches. Former world champion Kyren Wilson is ranked forty-two places higher than his opponent. However, Stan Moody is an up-and-coming player who is sure to have put in plenty of preparation for this tournament. Moody beat Wilson the last time they met.

This season Jack Lisowski finally won his first ranking tournament. If he can find that level of form and consistency in Sheffield, then Jack Lisowski could prove to be a lively outsider to lift the trophy. At the time of writing, he still has one more qualifying game to play. Providing he is successful in that match, I cannot see his price being as big as this once the World Championship starts at the weekend.

With first-time defending champions having a bad record at the Crucible, it could be Judd Trump who once again lifts the world crown. Provided he is happy with his cue and tip and finds consistency in his play, then the Ace in the Pack could go all the way.