Saturday's World Championship first-round predictions & snooker betting tips

Free snooker tips, best bets and analysis for day one of the Betfred World Championship on Saturday.

Where to watch

BBC & Eurosport, from 10am Saturday

Best bets

Jamie Jones +4.5 frames v Mark Selby
10am
2pts 8-13 Betfair

Zhao Xintong -3.5 frames v Jamie Clarke
10am
1pt 5-6 Betfair

Jackson Page +4.5 frames v Barry Hawkins
2.30pm
1pt 5-6 Coral, Ladbrokes

Over 15 frames in Ronnie O'Sullivan v Dave Gilbert
2.30pm
1pt 8-13 Betfred

Stephen Maguire to beat Shaun Murphy
7pm
3pts 6-5 Coral, Ladbrokes

Mark Selby v Jamie Jones

Mark Selby opens his Betfred World Championship title defence with a clash against Jamie Jones.

But with the top seed returning from a break from snooker due to mental health issues, he could have chosen an easier first-round opponent.

Jones, a Crucible quarter-finalist ten years ago, looked focused in qualifying wins over useful pair Mark Joyce and Tom Ford.

The Neath potter wasn't at his best in Sheffield last season, but better can be expected from this tenacious performer this year and he looks the bet with a handicap start.

Zhao Xintong v Jamie Clarke

Zhao Xintong crushed Jamie Clarke in their two previous meetings 4-0 in 2020 and 4-1 in the Gibraltar Open last month, when the Welshman had no answer to the UK Championship and German Masters hero's breaks of 119, 71, 71, 57 and 53.

Clarke was in decent nick in qualifying for the Crucible this year with victories over Si Jiahui, Gary Wilson and Graeme Dott.

But the 27-year-old from Llanelli, who upset Mark Allen in 2020 before being reeled in by Anthony McGill in round two, is no stranger to wide-margin wins and losses so he may need to look sharp if he is to deny Zhao a cosy triumph.

Barry Hawkins v Jackson Page

Barry Hawkins made light work of Jackson Page in a Championship League clash two years ago, but the Welsh qualifier has plenty of talent and can be respected after defeating Sean O'Sullivan, Ashley Carty, Joe Perry and David Grace to earn a Crucible ticket.

The Hawk is a hot favourite, but Page is riding quite probably his biggest career wave right now and can be supported with a handicap start.

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Dave Gilbert

Ronnie O'Sullivan leads Dave Gilbert 7-0 in their personal series, but the Rocket will be well aware of what a dangerous opponent the Tamworth pro can be.

It was 10-7 when this pair met at this stage of the 2016 World Championship, and after thrashing Rory McLeod and Anthony Hamilton in the qualifiers Gilbert could stay close to O'Sullivan again.

Shaun Murphy v Stephen Maguire

Last year's beaten finalist Shaun Murphy has struggled with neck, back and shoulder issues since reaching the Crucible showpiece and the Magician may meet his match in Stephen Maguire.

There's little love lost between this pair and Maguire's game would appear to have few weaknesses right now judging by his qualifying wins over useful Chinese duo Zhou Yuelong and Zhang Jiankang.

So back the Glaswegian, UK champion in 2005, to draw level at 14-14 in his personal series with 2005 Crucible king Murphy.

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