Betfred World Championship snooker Saturday match previews & free tips

Preview, tips and analysis for day nine of the 2020 Betfred World Championship snooker at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield on Saturday.

When to watch

BBC & Eurosport, from 10am Saturday

Best bets

Martin Gould +3.5 frames v Kyren Wilson
2pts 8-13 general

Martin Gould to beat Kyren Wilson
1pt 2-1 Betfair, BoyleSports

Neil Robertson -2.5 frames v Barry Hawkins
1pt 7-10 BoyleSports

Kyren Wilson v Martin Gould
10am

Kyren Wilson is making his competition bow on day nine of the Betfred World Championship, having had a walkover into round two when Anthony Hamilton pulled out of the Crucible proceedings due to health concerns.

Wilson is a classy operator but the Warrior is up against a qualifier, Martin Gould, who is playing some of the best snooker of his career.
Gould’s personal series with Wilson reads well from his point of view – he leads 3-2 in their previous meetings.

But while this presents a excellent opportunity for Gould to dispatch another seed after compiling four tons in his 10-3 victory over Stephen Maguire, the Pinner potter will need to stay temperamentally strong throughout because he has let slip the odd big lead at the Crucible in the past.

Neil Robertson v Barry Hawkins
10am

At his peak Barry Hawkins is more than capable of causing problems for Neil Robertson and possibly upsetting him, but after a mediocre campaign there are still question marks over the Hawk’s form.

The Londoner is adopting a healthier routine in Sheffield this year and toning down his partying in the city. But a bigger issue for Hawkins is the fact that he has recently started using a new cue – and that can take a long while to get used to.

In round one Hawkins did not need to be anywhere near his peak to waltz past Alexander Ursenbacher 10-2.

But a date with second seed Neil Robertson will tell viewers how far Hawkins has made it along the road to performing to an expected level.

Robertson will know Hawkins could be vulnerable and it will be disappointing if the Australian cannot find a way to boss the baize-time.

Backing the favourite to successfully concede a start of 2.5 frames could be the way to go.

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