Dave1962

The last two meetings between these two players have been easy wins for Judd Trump. Those two matches saw eleven frames of snooker played, with Trump winning ten and Vafaei one. If Trump dominates his opponent again over these three sessions, there is every chance of at least a six-frame winning margin.

These two players met twice before in the World Championship. Both matches were in the first round, which Trump won easily. This is over a longer period, but I expect the same result. They also met earlier this year in the World Open in a best-of-nine, and Trump won by four frames. Over a longer match, and given the way Vafaei played in winning his last round, Trump could win this by a six-frame margin.

With Man City playing in the FA Cup, an Arsenal win would not only see them return to the top of the Premiership but also add some pressure to City's next Premiership game. For the last two seasons, this win has been won by Arsenal. With Newcastle losing their last league game away at Crystal Palace, take Arsenal to get the win.

The last five away games played by TSG Hoffenheim have all finished with at least three goals. The last three times Hamburg have welcomed TSG Hoffenheim, the games have finished with at least three goals.

Mark Williams has won six of the last ten meetings between these two players. He got the better of Hawkins in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Championship. Mark Williams won his opening match by six frames, and I expect him to do the same in his second-round match.

The home supporters of Atletico Madrid have seen plenty of goals in recent home matches. Two of the last five visits to Madrid by Bilbao have finished with at least three goals.

The last five away games played by Monaco have all finished with at least three goals. The last home game played by Toulouse also finished with at least three goals.

Ding Junhui is not the player he once was and may struggle against the current world champion. Zhao Xintong won his opening match by three frames, and now with an extra session to play, I’m taking Xintong to win by six. The last time they met was in a best-of-eleven, which Xintong won by five frames.

The last three meetings between these two players have all been won by Ronnie O'Sullivan. One of those victories was in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Championships. On that occasion Ronnie O'Sullivan won by six frames. I'm taking him to do the same again in 2026.

All previous meetings between these two players have been in best-of-five or best-of-seven frame matches. Only one of those matches went to a deciding frame. Over this much longer format, a win by at least three frames for Selby looks very possible.

Mark Selby has a good record against Wu Yize, winning all six previous meetings. They were all over much shorter distances than the length of this match. Given Selby's superiority and record at the Crucible, a win by six frames is not beyond the realms of possibility.

These two players met in the first round of last year's World Championship, and Neil Robertson won by two frames. They have met once this year in a best-of-eleven match, which Robertson won by four frames. So, over this longer format it could be another win for Robertson against Chris Wakelin in the World Championship, but this time by six frames.

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.