Adam Williams presents his prediction for the World Snooker Championship match.
Mark Allen and Fan Zhengyi are set to face each other in the first round of the World Championship, a repeat of their encounter two years ago, which Allen won 10-5.
Mark Allen
The 38-year-old “Pistol” is preparing to make his 19th consecutive appearance at the Crucible, diligently preparing for this gruelling 17-day marathon. Three years ago, Mark Allen reassessed his approach to the game and made several significant changes, focusing on improving his safety play and adopting a more cautious style. These adjustments have yielded considerable success – Allen has secured eight trophies in the last three years, including the UK Championship and the Champion of Champions. Mark has developed a winning habit and has triumphed in his last seven finals. The World Championship is the only tournament that the world number eight has yet to conquer. Mark’s best achievement remains reaching the semi-finals of the 2009 and 2023 World Championships.
Fan Zhengyi
The 24-year-old “Fan-tastic” made his debut on the main tour in 2018 and currently holds 46th position in the rankings. Fan previously featured in the top 32 following his sensational victory at the 2022 European Masters. He played brilliantly throughout the tournament, defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-9 in the final. Fan has suffered a series of early-round defeats this season and was needed to win two qualifying matches to secure his place at the Crucible. He first overcame Robbie Williams 10-6 and then comfortably defeated Michael Holt 10-4. Across these matches, Fan posted several big breaks and centuries. Zhengyi has experienced some unexpected losses in recent months, but he could be the one to surprise.
Mark Allen vs Fan Zhengyi Prediction
Two years ago, Mark Allen defeated Fan in the first round of the World Championship 10-5. Both players delivered a high-quality match then, making two century breaks and several big breaks. We anticipate a similar pattern of play in this encounter. Mark Allen is enjoying a strong season and is focused on performing well at the main tournament of the year, while Fan is capable of playing brilliantly. We expect to see several centuries in the match.
