Hands up if you saw this coming? After showing the world what a capable performer he is by winning the 2023 World Championship, Luca Brecel has hardly won a match since and before the 2025 World Championships was in real danger of sliding out of the top fifty in the world rankings.
Whilst even with a quarterfinal effort his ranking will still fall outside of the top 16, Brecel is once again showing the type of form that took him to the summit of the game back in 2023, and unbelievably he could win yet another World title.
His victory over Ding Junhui in the last 16 of this years event was one of the best ever witnessed in Crucible history with many pundits barely able to believe what they had seen.
The draw for the quarterfinals is shaping up nicely with some of the game’s biggest stars having already punched their tickets to the last 8. John Higgins, Mark Williams, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump will all be dreaming of adding another World Championship title to their mantelpiece. But the likes of Chris Wakelin, Brecel, Xintong Zhao and Si Jiahui will all have plans of causing another shock and upsetting the odds. Let’s take a look at where the value lies.
Brecel leads value picks
At 8/1 and after his demolition of Ding Junhui in the previous round, Luca Brecel looks like one of the best bets to place at this year's World Championship.
Seemingly having the cue ball on a string throughout his match against Ding, Brecel is a precocious talent and when he can play like this few can stop him.
On the cusp of reaching the quarterfinals where he will meet the winner of Judd Trump vs Shaun Murphy, Brecel was magnificent as he stretched to a 12-2 lead.
Able to post numerous breaks of 100, six time World Champion Steve Davis was quick to praise Brecel, claiming that the ability he showed to go 8-1 up was some of the finest snooker he had ever seen at the Crucible.
Clearly a maverick, Brecel isn’t like most pros, seemingly content to lead a different life as a professional, it’s hard to know what version of the Belgian will turn up. However, the one thing that can’t be denied is that Brecel seems to thrive on the biggest of stages. Whoever wins out of Trump and Murphy will be on for a real battle.
Chris Wakelin
Chris Wakelin has enjoyed a fantastic World Championship and has reached the quarterfinals of the World Championship for the very first time.
In the first round he was drawn against Neil Robertson and despite starting the match as the heavy underdog he deserved his 10-8 victory.
Having defeated one former World Champion, he then took on a man who has reached the semifinals on a few occasions in the shape of Mark Allen.
Once again positioned as the underdog, Wakelin was in the mood to cause a shock and he produced one of the best results of his career as he swatted away the Northern Irishman 13-6.
A solid break builder, Wakelin compiled six breaks of fifty plus and made sure to make the most of any opportunities that came his way.
Full of belief that he belongs at this stage, Wakelin isn’t done yet and although he will start as the underdog against Zhao Xintong he will have plenty of belief that his dream run can continue.
Zhao Xintong
Whilst a bet on Zhao Xintong isn’t as valuable as it would have been at the start of the tournament, the Chinese star has long been regarded as a potential winner of this event and having had to work his way back to this level he is currently on some run of form.
Having grinded through Q School, he made light work of qualification for the tournament and has looked brilliant as he defeated both Jak Jones and Lei Piefan to reach this stage for the first time.
A former UK Championship winner, it’s clear that Zhao belongs at the very highest level and if he can make the semifinals he will have the belief that he can go all the way.
The one thing that will be interesting as the tournament develops is whether Zhao is impacted by the fact that no Chinese player has won the World Championship before.
For a country where the game is growing all of the time, the top of the game is awash with young Chinese talent and there is a real belief that in time all of the best players will be Chinese.
For the game to go to the next level in China they would love to have a World Champion and many believe that Zhao could be that man to bring home the title.
It’s likely that if Zhao can get past Chris Wakelin he could well face Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi finals. Many will see that contest as a potential passing of the torch between one of all the all time greats and snooker’s newest star.
The favourites won’t make it easy
Although there is the potential of a shock at this year’s World Championships, the favourites certainly won’t make things easy.
Judd Trump would have been boosted by the early exit of his main rival Kyren Wilson and he is playing some simply dazzling snooker as he aims to become World Champion for the second time in his career.
John Higgins and Mark Williams know how to win this championship and the pair have seven titles between them. One of them will be in the semi finals as they are due to take each other on in the quarterfinals.
Then of course there is Ronnie O’Sullivan. Having barely played a competitive match over the last few months, nobody knew what sort of level the seven time World Champion would bring to the Crucible, but it’s fair to say he has exceeded all expectations so far.
On the cusp of defeating Janxu Pang in the last 16, a contest against either Ben Woollaston or Si Jiahui awaits in the quarterfinals. O’Sullivan looks to have a great chance of reaching the semis and from there who knows what he could achieve.
Andrew Blakely
At 35, Andrew Blakely stands as a seasoned expert in both snooker and its betting intricacies. A dedicated player and analyst, he offers keen insights derived from years in the field. Through his writings, Andrew aspires to guide enthusiasts navigating the captivating world of snooker betting.
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