The 2012 Betfred World Snooker Championship gets under way on Sunday 21^st April and runs until Monday May 7^th. This event is the pinnacle of the professional snooker season and takes place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on an annual basis. In the last few years, we have seen both a change in the way snooker is run, as well as the emergence of a new breed of talent.

While Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams are still forces within the game, players such as Judd Trump, Mark Allen and Mark Selby have emerged to take snooker to the next level. The 2012 World Championship looks to be a wide open event and it will be interesting to see if one of the younger has the temperament to take this year’s crown.

Last year, Judd Trump made it all the way to the final but was ultimately beaten by the experience of four time winner John Higgins by a score of 18 frames to 15. Trump is the 5/1 favourite for this year’s tournament with sponsors Betfred and it would be no surprise to see he amazing young potter go one place better this time around. John Higgins is also likely to be there or thereabouts and it is very possible he could take his fifth Crucible title here. Higgins is a 9/1 chance with Betfred.

You cannot discount Ronnie O’Sullivan for any event but he is a particular threat when it comes to the World Championship. While he has never quite dominated the game in the way most pundits thought he would, if Ronnie comes to Sheffield in the right frame of mind, he’s capable of beating anyone with relative ease. The fact we aren’t sure which Ronnie will turn up means the bookies are willing to offer odds of 8/1 on the Rocket.

I personally think Mark Selby is the most accomplished player yet to win the World Championship. The 28 year old from Leicester might not be quite as much of a natural potter as Trump but his all round game is better and at times it looks almost effortless. The fact he has only won two ranking tournaments thus far suggests he’s underachieved but the standard is so high now that I don’t think that’s the case. He’s been one of the most consistent players on the circuit this season and has been towards the top of the rankings for most of the campaign.

I fancy Mark Selby strongly for this year’s World Championship and at 7/1 with Betfred, he’s my selection.

Tipsters Recommended Bet

Back Mark Selby @ 7/1 with Betfred

2012 World Snooker Championship Odds (Prices from Betfred)

Judd Trump 5/1
Mark Selby 7/1
Ronnie O’Sullivan 8/1
John Higgins 9/1
Neil Robertson 9/1
Ding Junhui 12/1
Mark Allen 12/1
Stephen Maguire 14/1
Shaun Murphy 16/1
Mark Williams 20/1
Stephen Lee 28/1
Graeme Dott 40/1
66/1 Bar

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