• World Championship 2009 - Final Qualifying Head-to-Head

    The final qualifying round of the 2009 world snooker championship starts tomorrow (8-10 March), for 16 players the dream is still alive, for 16 it is back to the drawing board...Global-snooker.com brings you a closer look at the 'contenders'.

    We take a look at what the bookmakers think, compare that with what Cuefacts 08/09 say, and add our own thoughts on who will make it through the final qualifier.

    Match 11 - Michael Judge 8/11 v Evens Andrew Higginson

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Michael Judge 106 45.28 43.76 54.94 134 27 3.93 3 35.33
    Andrew Higginson 196 55.10 56.28 47.86 132 58 3.38 3 65.33

    Cuefacts Predicts - Andrew Higginson - Correct!

    Not clear cut but a strong case for an upset as Judge has the addedd pressure of trying secure his place in the world's top 32.

    Match 12 – Jamie Cope 2/7 v 9/4 Paul Davies

     
    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Jamie Cope 129 48.06 52.40 49.60 147 31 4.16 5 25.80
    Paul Davies 149 48.99 47.19 50.79 110 23 6.48 2 74.50

    Cuefacts Predicts - Jamie Cope - Correct!

    On paper, this one should be straight forward.  Davies has been a professional since 1991 and never reached the Crucible. Cope hasn't found the form though, that took him to two ranking finals and has looked vulnerable at time this season.

    Match 13 – Nigel Bond 4/7 v 5/4 Mike Dunn

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Nigel Bond 75 34.67 42.07 57.75 119 11 6.82 1 75.00
    Mike Dunn 157 52.87 51.65 48.75 126 34 4.62 3 52.33

    Cuefacts Predicts - Mike Dunn - Ooops!

    Dunn has got stronger as the season has gone on and despite being the bookmakers' second favourite, we think he has a great chance here. Bond has qualified for the China Open later this month but apart from that hasn't won a match this season.

    Match 14 – Dominic Dale Evens v 8/11 Michael Holt

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Dominic Dale 108 44.44 47.52 56.76 137 27 4.00 3 36.00
    Michael Holt 211 57.82 54.94 45.67 127 61 3.46 10 21.10

    Cuefacts Predicts - Michael Holt - Correct!

    Holt has performed consistently throughout 2008/09.  The facts speak for themselves, he is the better player this year.  However, Dale is a seasoned professional and could raise his game for the big one.  Holt gets the nod from us though.

    Match 15 – Stuart Bingham 2/5 v 7/4 Alan McManus

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Stuart Bingham 123 50.41 49.67 48.05 124 29 4.24 2 61.50
    Alan McManus 152 51.32 49.29 48.92 129 43 3.53 7 21.71

    Cuefacts Predicts - Alan McManus - Ooops!

    Not sure this will be as clear cut as the bookies believe.  Bingham is solid at his best but that has been lacking this season.  McManus is a class act and despite losing three opening matches coming into this, he grabbed a good win against win against Stuart Pettman in the previosu round.  A tough one to call...

    Match 16 – Matthew Stevens 4/11 v 15/8 Martin Gould

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Matthew Stevens 183 55.19 52.93 46.99 120 55 3.33 8 22.88
    Martin Gould 252 55.95 55.40 45.90 135 73 3.45 5 50.40

    Cuefacts Predicts - Martin Gould - Correct!

    Again, this season stats go against the bookies.  Stevens is a world championship specialisy and can't be written off but Gould has got better and better this year and beat seven time world champion, Stephen Hendry in the Welsh Open last month.  Gould is full of confidence and Stevens needs to win to have any chance of regaining his place in the elite 16, which adds extra pressure.

    Match 6 – Stephen Lee 5/4 v 4/7 Judd Trump

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Stephen Lee 154 52.60 52.38 46.77 145 38 4.05 6 25.67
    Judd Trump 266 60.15 54.60 47.76 138 93 2.86 18 14.78

    Cuefacts Predicts - Judd Trump - Ooops!

    West of England's finest battle it out again.  Lee produced some sparkling form in Belfast earlier in the season to beat the left-hander five-frames-to-three.  Overall this season the youngster looks to have the edge, but local rivalry and experience could play their part.

    Match 7 – Mark Williams 2/7 v 9/4 Tom Ford

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Mark Williams 137 51.09 49.31 52.77 136 37 3.70 2 68.50
    Tom Ford 134 47.76 53.51 49.84 125 39 3.44 12 11.17

    Cuefacts Predicts - Tom Ford - Ooops!

    Williams is a heavy favourite with the bookies, but a number of factors conspire against him.  Ford looks to have the edge on the season as a whole, and the two-times champion has NEVER qualified for the Crucible.  He made his debut as a member of the top 16.  There have been glimpses that he is ready to return to his best and if he does then the bookies have it right. 

    Match 8 – Anthony Hamilton 11/10 v 4/6 Ricky Walden

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Anthony Hamilton 131 49.62 49.78 51.10 136 34 3.85 5 26.20
    Ricky Walden 236 58.05 55.40 43.85 141 87 2.71 14 16.86

    Cuefacts Predicts - Ricky Walden - Correct!

    Victory in the Shanghai Masters back in September has not been followed with any sparkling from Walden but he has quietly gone about setting himself up for a top-16 berth.  Hamilton looked good reaching the last four in Newport last month but apart from that has looked far from his best this season.  He will need to find his scoring game to have a chance in this one, but if he can then he is a match for anyone.

    Match 9 – Dave Harold 11/10 v 4/6 Liang Wenbo

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Dave Harold 172 52.91 49.43 49.50 117 48 3.58 2 86.00
    Liang Wenbo 178 59.55 58.72 46.83 147 66 2.70 11 16.18

    Cuefacts Predicts - Liang Wenbo - Correct!

    The Cuefacts and the bookies suggest this will be one-way traffic but Harold is one of the toughest players on the circuit and will not suit Wenbo's style of play.  Harold needs to win if he is to get back in the top 16 for next season which could heap unwanted pressure on the Northern Ireland Trophy finalist.

    Match 10 – Fergal O’Brien 4/7 v 5/4 Jamie Burnett

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Fergal OBrien 114 44.74 46.84 57.80 137 27 4.22 3 38.00
    Jamie Burnett 165 52.12 50.50 48.62 131 51 3.24 8 20.63

    Cuefacts Predicts - Jamie Burnett - Correct!

    Could well go the distance, but Burnett has a better scoring game and that could be the difference.

    Match 1 – Joe Swail 2/5 v 7/4 Matthew Couch

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Joe Swail 144 48.61 50.84 51.60 134 33 4.36 7 20.57
    Matthew Couch 219 52.05 49.26 39.26 129 43 5.09 5 43.80

    Cuefacts Predicts - Joe Swail - Correct!

    Finalist in Newport last month Swail will be looking to continue that kind of form.  Couch is no push-over, but now that Swail seems to have got over cue problems, he should return to the scene of some his greatest moments in the game.

    Match 2 – Steve Davis 1/2 v 6/4 Lee Spick

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Steve Davis 190 44.74 45.19 56.14 132 40 4.75 3 63.33
    Lee Spick 198 52.02 49.96 51.06 130 47 4.21 9 22.00

    Cuefacts Predicts - Lee Spick - Ooops!

    Tough one to call...The stats for the season suggest that Spick has performed the better, but Davis has looked top notch at times.  The occasion could be the deciding factor with Spick facing a legend and a Crucible debut.

    Match 3 – Ian McCulloch 1/2 v 6/4 Rory McLeod

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Ian McCulloch 117 52.14 51.99 44.59 139 23 5.09 9 13.00
    Rory McLeod 188 50.53 52.64 48.85 131 39 4.82 10 18.80

    Cuefacts Predicts - Rory McLeod - Correct!

    Don't expect this one to be over early.  McLeod looks the real deal on occasions - he made three centuries against O'Sullivan in Telford.  Both players can get bogged down in a negative style of play and if they do then it could go on forever.  McCulloch needs to win to stay in the top 32.

    Match 4 – Barry Hawkins 1/3 v 2/1 Daniel Wells

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Barry Hawkins 162 51.85 51.90 48.88 134 45 3.60 4 40.50
    Daniel Wells 192 48.96 50.51 50.37 132 45 4.27 5 38.40

    Cuefacts Predicts - Barry Hawkins - Correct!

    Danie Wells has been the story of the championship so far.  A Welshman based in Sheffield will fill the Crucible if he gets through.  He has won three final frame deciders to get this far, so we are not concerned about his ability to win.  Hawkins is another fighting for a top-16 place and that certainly looked to be on his mind in the China Open Qualifiers.

    Match 5 – Ken Doherty 4/6 v 11/10 Gerard Greene

    Name Fr Pl Fr% Pts For Av Pts Ag Av HB 50+ 50BR 100+ 100BR
    Ken Doherty 114 45.61 48.49 52.69 127 31 3.68 1 114.00
    Gerard Greene 127 59.06 55.22 45.26 111 32 3.97 3 42.33

    Cuefacts Predicts - Gerard Greene - Correct!

    The 1998 world champion has not looked himself this season.  He is down to number 53 on the one-year ranking list.  Greene would like to win and increase his chances of being in the top-32 next season.  He looked good in the last round against Liu Song.  We think the left-hander will just edge it.

    11 out of 16 correct - not bad but we're sure we can do better at The Crucible...

    Global-snooker.com does not intend to encourage gambling through this article and the predictions made are for information purposes only.  We accept no responsibility for losses incurred using the above predicitions.

    Odds quoted - www.stanjames.com - 07 March, 2009