Betfred World Championship specials predictions and snooker betting tips

Free snooker special tips, best bets and analysis for the Betfred World Championship, which starts on Saturday.

Where to watch

BBC & Eurosport, from 10am Saturday

Best bets

Stephen Maguire, Liam Highfield & Matthew Stevens all to win their first-round matches
1pt 20-1 Betfair

Mark Williams to make tournament highest break
1pt 25-1bet365

Preview

The draw for the Betfred World Championship was made only on Thursday morning so there were only a limited number of special markets issued in the hours after the seeds were paired with the qualifiers.

More specials will probably be issued on Friday, but for now anyone looking for an interest away from the norm can consider the 20-1 that Betfair are quoting about Stephen Maguire, Liam Highfield and Matthew Stevens all winning their first-round matches at the Crucible Theatre.

Maguire, who opens against Shaun Murphy, and Stevens, who continues his quest to improve on two runner-up placings in the early noughties with a clash against Jack Lisowski, both have definite upset potential.

Maguire defeated Zhou Yuelong to take his place in the finals, while Stevens fought back to thwart Ali Carter to return to the famous venue. Those results are difficult to quibble with and both qualifiers could enjoy a prosperous fortnight in the sport's biggest tournament.

The problem leg of the treble could be Highfield upsetting Anthony McGill, which, considering the Scot is often seen at his best in longer-distance matches, is less likely to come up trumps.

However, Highfield is an improving performer and, at his best, is quite capable of making an opponent such as McGill pull out the stops, so, at the enhanced odds available, the chance can still be taken.

Bet365 were the first bookmaker to issue a highest breakmaker market on Thursday and while a punt in that sphere is often a hit-and-hope trade, Mark Williams warmed up for his tilt at a fourth Crucible crown by compiling a couple of 147 maximum breaks and plenty more tons beside in a south Wales club night last week.

The Welsh potting machine faces a potentially tough opener against his compatriot and friend Michael White. But, at 25-1, the three-time world champion is worth a tickle to post the highest break of this year's 17-day marathon, a feat he achieved when making a maximum in Sheffield in 2005.

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