World Snooker Championship semi-final predictions and snooker betting tips: Rocket's sights set on eighth world title

Where to watch the World Snooker Championship

Live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer & TNT Sports, from 1pm Thursday

Best bets for the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship

Ronnie O'Sullivan -1.5 frames v Zhao Xintong 
1pt 8-11 general

Judd Trump -4.5 frames
2pts 5-6 Betfair

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World Snooker Championship predictions

Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Zhao Xintong predictions

Match starts 1pm

Ronnie O’Sullivan is only two victories away from a record eighth World Snooker Championship title, and the Rocket will bid for lift-off against Zhao Xintong in today’s World Championship semi-finals. 

O’Sullivan hadn't played a competitive match since December’s Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, prior to arriving in Sheffield, but that hasn’t stopped the Chigwell cueman from reaching the last four at the Crucible. 

The seven-time world champion has beaten Ali Carter, Pang Junxu and Si Jiahui in Sheffield, but it is difficult to get a clear view of how the Rocket is performing. 

Carter and Pang offered little in 10-4 defeats, allowing O’Sullivan to cruise into the quarter-finals, while he blasted into a 7-2 lead against Si and was able to ease to a 13-9 victory as the Chinese cueman failed to apply any pressure.

For all the doubts, the Rocket knows how to deliver a solid matchplay performance and, as a seven-time world champion, will have no problems handling the occasion.

Xintong was the big mover in the ante-post market and the Chinese sensation could still justify the support. However, the standard of play in victories against Chris Wakelin and Lei Peifan wasn’t blistering. 

The Cyclone hasn’t made a single century break – and only 12 knocks of 50 or more – in the 41 frames he has contested in his last two Crucible matches. If his scoring isn’t on song, Xintong looks vulnerable. 

Mark Williams vs Judd Trump predictions

Match starts 7pm

Mark Williams came through a thrilling 13-12 quarter-final slugfest against John Higgins, and the 50-year-old moves on to face world number one Judd Trump. 

The Welsh veteran has landed a spot in an eighth Crucible semi-final, and while the three-time world champion isn't easily dismissed, a clash with Trump appears to be an extremely difficult task. 

The Ace survived one of the most breathtakingly brilliant sessions of snooker ever seen when Luca Brecel went potting crazy in the quarter-finals, but it’s a measure of his ability that he was able to respond with breaks of 115 and 116 to break the run of Brecel and win 13-8. 

Trump has been the most impressive performer on the snooker tour this season. He has been the clear pick at this year’s World Championship and can make comfortable progress to the Crucible final. 

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