Dave1962

Wu Yize is the higher-ranked player of the two but comes into this match on the back of two defeats. These two players have only met once before, and Peifan Lei won.

These two met in the Scottish Open back in 2024. That match was best of seventeen frames. Peifan Lei won that match by four frames, so taking him to do so again in this slightly longer match.

Judd Trump has won six of the last seven meetings between these two players. Trump reached the final of the recent Tour Championship, where he lost to Xintong.

These two have only met once in the World Championship. That was a semi-final match back in 2019, which Trump won by six frames. On his day, Gary Wilson is able to cause Trump some issues. But with Trump winning their last meeting by three frames, I expect him to do so again.

Former world champion Shaun Murphy should have too much class and Crucible experience to see off his Chinese opponent, who is ranked fifty-five places lower than himself. He won their last meeting, which meant that of the four times they have played each other, Murphy has won three of them.

Two of the three victories that Shaun Murphy has against Fan Zhengyi have been by three frames. They were over much shorter matches than today's. Given the ease with which Fan has won his three qualifying matches, another three-frame win for Murphy looks possible.

West Brom are looking to move further clear of the relegation zone as they welcome Watford who are eight points ahead of them in the table. Watford have lost their last three away Championship games, conceding at least two goals in each of those games. West Brom have taken five points from their last three home games and in two of those matches they scored at least two goals. West Brom won this fixture last season and taking them to do so again.

Chris Wakelin has lost three of his last four matches. Liam Pullen came through four rounds of qualifying to reach the Crucible. The last time they met, Liam Pullen won.

The last time these two players met was in a best-of-seven frame match, with Liam Pullen winning the deciding frame. All of Pullen's qualifying matches saw his opponents reach at least seven frames, with one of them going to a decider. This could be another long match, with the underdog winning a one-frame shootout.

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.