The draw for the 2026 World Snooker Championship has thrown up several fascinating first-round encounters at the Crucible Theatre.
With established stars, dangerous qualifiers, and rising talents all in the mix, there is no shortage of intrigue.
With the action getting under way on Saturday in Sheffield, here are our predictions for how each of the 16 matches will unfold.
Zhao Xintong vs Liam Highfield
Reigning champion Zhao Xintong returns to the Crucible Theatre as the top seed and the man everyone has to beat.
The Chinese star arrives in red-hot form after claiming a hat-trick of ranking titles during the Players Series and is widely regarded as the pre-tournament favourite. The big question, of course, is whether he can end the long-standing Curse of the Crucible.
Liam Highfield has already done well just to be here. The world number 92 came through all four rounds of qualifying to secure a fourth Crucible appearance, but this represents a huge step up in class.
Prediction: Zhao 10-4
Ding Junhui vs David Gilbert
Ding Junhui only just squeezed into the top 16 as the lowest seed and arrives in Sheffield after a disappointing season. Despite finishing runner-up in 2016, his overall record at the venue has been patchy, with several early exits.
Opponent David Gilbert is a proven Crucible performer with two semi-final appearances to his name. He looked sharp in qualifying – scoring heavily – and this encounter has all the ingredients of a close contest.
Prediction: Ding 10-9
Xiao Guodong vs Zhou Yuelong
Xiao Guodong has had another good campaign, successfully defending his Wuhan Open title and earning a maiden Masters appearance. He now looks firmly established among the elite.
Zhou Yuelong, on the other hand, continues to flatter to deceive. A four-time ranking event runner-up, the talent is undeniable, but he is still waiting to fully deliver on that potential.
Prediction: Xiao 10-7
Shaun Murphy vs Fan Zhengyi
Shaun Murphy is a former world champion and four-time finalist, but his recent Crucible record has been inconsistent. He has, however, put together a strong 2025/26 campaign, winning the British Open and finishing runner-up twice, putting himself firmly back in the conversation.
Fan Zhengyi has slipped down the rankings but remains a dangerous opponent. This is his third Crucible appearance in four years, although he enters as the clear underdog.
Prediction: Murphy 10-6
John Higgins vs Ali Carter
John Higgins has produced a solid season with three final appearances, albeit without adding to his title tally. A four-time world champion and eight-time finalist, his pedigree is unquestionable, but this is a tough opener.
Ali Carter is a two-time world runner-up and showed strong form in reaching the Shanghai Masters final earlier in the season. He also came through a difficult Judgement Day match and has a respectable record against Higgins.
Prediction: Carter 10-8
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs He Guoqiang
Regardless of form, Ronnie O’Sullivan is always among the favourites in Sheffield. His schedule has been limited this season, but he still managed to reach two finals and is chasing a record eighth world title.
He Guoqiang makes his Crucible debut at 25 after an impressive qualifying campaign that included a win over Jack Lisowski. However, this is about as daunting an introduction as it gets.
Prediction: O’Sullivan 10-5
Chris Wakelin vs Liam Pullen
Chris Wakelin has matured into a top-16 player and a ranking event winner, having claimed the Scottish Open title this season. A quarter-finalist at the Crucible last year, he is capable of going deep, although inconsistency can still be an issue.
Liam Pullen is one of the standout debutants. The 20-year-old impressed in qualifying and emerged from the very first round, beating two recent ranking event winners. He arrives with his reputation and confidence growing.
Prediction: Pullen 10-9
Neil Robertson vs Pang Junxu
Neil Robertson remains one of the game’s biggest names, but his Crucible record is surprisingly underwhelming, with no appearances at the single-table setup since 2014. That said, he did claim the lucrative Saudi Arabia Masters title this season.
Pang Junxu is a steady competitor who has now qualified for the Crucible four years in a row and reached the last 16 in 2025. He should be competitive, but an upset would still be a surprise.
Prediction: Robertson 10-6
Kyren Wilson vs Stan Moody
Kyren Wilson has had a mixed season, winning a brace of prestigious invitational titles but failing to make any deep runs in ranking events. With significant ranking points to defend from his 2024 triumph, there is added pressure this time around.
Stan Moody is a highly promising 19-year-old who became the first UK teenager to qualify since Judd Trump in 2007. He showed resilience on Judgement Day while suffering from illness, but this is a huge test on debut.
Prediction: Wilson 10-5
Mark Allen vs Zhang Anda
Mark Allen enjoyed a solid campaign that included an English Open victory, but his Crucible record remains underwhelming relative to his ability. This represents one of the trickier opening matches.
Zhang Anda has rediscovered form after dropping out of the top 16, reaching the World Grand Prix final and scoring heavily in qualifying. He looks a genuine danger and a potential dark horse to go far in the event.
Prediction: Zhang 10-8
Barry Hawkins vs Matthew Stevens
Barry Hawkins arrives in Sheffield as the recent Welsh Open champion, adding a fifth ranking title to his collection. Despite some underwhelming recent Crucible performances, his overall record here is strong.
Matthew Stevens returns for his first Crucible appearance since 2022. A two-time finalist with extensive experience, he remains capable of high-quality snooker, albeit less far less consistently than during his heyday.
Prediction: Hawkins 10-6
Mark Williams vs Antoni Kowalski
Mark Williams continues to defy age, winning the Xi’an Grand Prix at 50 and reaching last year’s final. However, recent concerns over the development of the yips have cast some doubt over his prospects.
Antoni Kowalski is a 22-year-old debutant and the first Polish player to compete at the Crucible. He arrives full of confidence after securing his tour card via qualifying, but facing a three-time former champion represents a daunting prospect.
Prediction: Williams 10-5
Mark Selby vs Jak Jones
Mark Selby remains one of the most dangerous players in the draw having won the UK Championship and the Champion of Champions this season. However, back-to-back first-round exits in Sheffield will be a concern.
Jak Jones reached the final in 2024 and proved his Crucible credentials again by qualifying with a win over Luca Brecel. He has rarely replicated that level elsewhere, but his Sheffield record commands respect.
Prediction: Selby 10-7
Wu Yize vs Lei Peifan
Wu Yize has emerged as one of China’s most promising talents, winning his first ranking title at the International Championship. He is now delivering more consistently and targeting a first Crucible match win.
Lei Peifan famously inflicted the Curse of the Crucible on Kyren Wilson last year and returns as a proven threat. This is one of two all-Chinese ties in a record-breaking year for representation.
Prediction: Wu 10-6
Si Jiahui vs Hossein Vafaei
Si Jiahui has struggled for form this season but boasts an excellent Crucible record, including a semi-final and a quarter-final appearance.
Hossein Vafaei has endured injury issues but has shown signs of improvement in recent months. An unpredictable but dangerous opponent, he is unlikely to be fazed by the occasion.
Prediction: Vafaei 10-6
Judd Trump vs Gary Wilson
Judd Trump has enjoyed a consistent season, regularly reaching the latter stages of events despite only claiming one title. The 2019 world champion will be eager to protect his ranking position with threats from Neil Robertson and Zhao Xintong behind him.
Gary Wilson has slipped down the rankings after losing significant points, and he endured a nervy qualifying campaign. However, as a former semi-finalist and a three-time ranking event winner, he is more than capable of posing problems.
Prediction: Trump 10-7
Featured photo credit: WST
In defense of the Curse
I admit it, I’m a fan. A phenomenon like the Curse of the Crucible does add a unique allure to what already is – obviously – the highest title in the sport and the beloved venue that thankfully will remain the site (the Tempodrom would be so great for the time of renovation/enlargement…).
The Curse seems an endangered species this year like it hasn’t been for a long time, with Zhao looking close to unbeatable. So I’ll put it on the record here, together with David’s profound predictions: it will survive! Don’t let me down, Curse…and every player who’ll meet the defending champion in Sheffield.
It would be a great story for someone to break it. But yes, in future years it’d probably then be missed.
Why not Teach over a Thousand Americans to Learn how to play Snooker instead of American Football and Baseball etc. And get them out of Trouble?
I’ve tipped Wilson to beat Trump, partly due to sn unsettled preparation for the 2019 champion.
During the first session against Mark Allen, a first century of the match by Zhang Anda made him the 49th player to compile 200 career centuries.
Zhao into the last 16 for the third time. A fine effort by Liam Highfield to facilitate a Crucible return in his first season back.