World Snooker Championship 2025: Quarter finals analysis and betting tips
The World Snooker Championship is down to its final eight runners – with five world champions still in contention
Our tipster Adam Drury (@Adam_Drury1) is on hand to take a look at the betting for all four of the quarter finals and has dug out wagers for each.
The Tuesday and Wednesday of the World Snooker Championship is a popular part of the tournament, as wall-to-wall action sees the four quarter-finals play out.
There is a lovely variety to the final eight, with explosive potters, experienced heads, and plenty in between going at it for a place in the semi-finals.
Let's get stuck into my picks, which include a 5/4 NAP and a 17/1 four-fold for the more ambitious types.
Betting selections for 2025 World Snooker Championship quarter finals
Adam's NAP - Over 22.5 frames in John Higgins v Mark Williams – 5/4
In three weeks’ time both these players will be 50, but their remarkable longevity means both will fancy their chances of celebrating a major life milestone by winning the world title.
Williams – who brought up five decades in March – went up a gear in the last 16 against Hossein Vafaei, knocking in a couple of centuries, and has used his extensive experience and nous to get over the line in both of his matches so far.
He takes on Higgins, who celebrates his birthday on May 18. The Scot came out the better of a real grind against Xiao Guodong late on Saturday evening, the latest demonstration of his remarkable mentality.
Both of the pair’s first-round matches passed over 16.5 frames and both of their last-16 clashes passed over 22.5, so we’re going to take on the frames line again in a match that it is difficult to imagine either dominating or falling apart in.
Under 3.5 match centuries in Zhao Xintong v Chris Wakelin – 5/4
This pick could look silly, considering the form of Wakelin and Xintong has lit up the tournament, but I’m prepared to take on the centuries line when they meet in the last eight.
Xintong’s scoring has been heralded – but he actually didn’t manage a century in his last-16 match against Lei Peifan, managing only one 80+ break.
There were signs that his form was not quite as good in his first-round demolition job against Jak Jones and I’m prepared to take a chance that this huge occasion continues to curb his scoring.
The same logic applies to Wakelin, who was sensational in the first two sessions against Mark Allen but did show some signs of nerves before coming through 13-6.
Wakelin is not actually a prolific century-getter, compiling 22 all season, and is surely unlikely to play quite as well again as he did in going 12-4 up on the Northern Irishman.
Both these players look in good order and have a shot at the title, but backing loads of centuries feels like a trap and I’m happy to take it on.
Over 21.5 frames in Ronnie O’Sullivan v Si Jiahui – 5/6
There’s a danger of falling for the O’Sullivan schtick too easily, but I do agree with him that a better opponent is going to expose his weaknesses soon enough.
The seven-time champion has beaten Ali Carter 10-4 and Pang Junxu 13-4 to reach the final eight, but both of them played poorly and were unable to capitalise on the opportunities they were given.
There’s a danger the occasion of simply facing O’Sullivan at the Crucible is too much for some players, and Si Jiahui could theoretically fall into that bracket, but he’s also capable of hitting a much higher level.
O’Sullivan looks as good as ever in the balls but his long pot percentage is in the 50s and some of his safety play has been wonky, so Si can take at least nine frames to win us this leg.
Over 4.5 centuries in Judd Trump v Luca Brecel – 11/10
As opposed to Xintong v Wakelin, this is a match that should inspire these in-form players to even greater heights.
Probably the top two performers of the last 16, both players hit two centuries on their way to convincing victories, with Brecel producing what was lauded by several pundits as one of the all-time great sessions against Ding Junhui on Saturday night.
In addition to his two tons, the second of which took him to 100 for the season, Trump hit three 90+s and two 80+s and can benefit from the very open match Brecel is bound to create.
The Belgian Bullet looks in a similarly devilish mood to that which took him to the world title two years ago and it seems highly unlikely there won’t be some big scoring from both players as a result.
Adam Drury's best quarter final Crucible bets
Over 22.5 frames in John Higgins v Mark Williams – 5/4
Under 3.5 match centuries in Zhao Xintong v Chris Wakelin – 5/4
Over 21.5 frames in Ronnie O’Sullivan v Si Jiahui – 5/6
Over 4.5 centuries in Judd Trump v Luca Brecel – 11/10