Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the 2024 World Snooker Championship match.
Mark Selby
He’s the bright and obvious favourite of this game. Selby reached the final of the previous edition of this tournament. But he lost the game against Brecel. Mark is supposed to be focused on the World Championship after last year. Yes, there was some news that Mark Selby might retire after an unsuccessful performance at the Tour Championship in case he would keep on that way. But professional snooker players announce something like that time after time. We have an example of Ronnie O’Sullivan. Even if Selby doesn’t have his perfect form now, he’s still better than his opponent.
Joe O’Connor
This is probably the best season in Joe O’Connor’s career. He beat Julien Leclercq in the first qualifying game (10:1). The second match was a problem but O’Connor managed to beat Matthew Selt eventually (10:8). The last frame lasted over two hours In that game. Joe O’Connor is the only debutant in this World Championship edition. Usually, debutants face problems in the very first game of the main draw of the tournament.
Mark Selby – Joe O’Connor prediction
They had a head-to-head match in March, in the Champions League final, with Mark Selby winning 3-1. These players are on the different professional poles. Joe O’Connor is too far away from Mark Selby. However, we can see either Selby easily winning or this game lasting for long. Anything’s possible. This is why I’m choosing century breaks. Mark Selby has made at least two in the last three opening games of the World Championships.
