Who is going to win the 2016 World Championship?

[Ronnington]

I've put 100 quid down on Trump to win the crown. Wish I did it before he won the China Open, as the odds were a bit better, but hey-ho.

My only logic is that he's very much a confidence-player and I just feel like it is 'his time' to finally win the big one. He thrives on the invincible feeling when full of confidence - like when he achieved nothing up to the 2011 China Open, won that, and then went on that incredible run. But he's a better all-round player now.

Judd Trump's always strong at the Crucible and when on-song & full of confidence, he's got everyone beaten except a prime Ronnie and John Higgins... But are those two in their prime anymore? I don't think so. Ronnie two years ago maybe.

We'll see. I'm mildly confident he will do it this year after a mediocre 2015...

[Byrom]

Bristolians all stick together

[vmax4steve]

Ding hasn't got it I'm afraid, once that eye starts twitching like inspector Dreyfuss, he's gone, which is a shame as he's a fantastic talent.
Ricky Walden doesn't get a good enough run of the balls, neither does Maguire; some players get the run, especially at crucial times in frames and matches, whereas others do not no matter how well they're playing and these days kicks and bad contacts add greatly to that.
Which brings us to Shaun Murphy who lets that aspect of the modern game get to him far more than the likes of Ronnie, who simply seems to accept it and carry on, whereas Murphy will sit and brood on it, wanting FREE POLISH (stupid boy)

Carter has short bloke syndrome, Higgins isn't fit enough for a two week slog, neither is Allen, too much room service in those lonely hotel rooms methinks, Fu isn't a consistant long potter and doesn't have the safety game needed to get in to make his break building count.

O'Sullivan or Trump with Robertson as my outsider if he doesn't try to force the run of the balls, frees his arm and lets it happen.

[murdock]

My money is on Trump, but then I've backed him for the last three or four years, so what do I know?

I'm very surprised that John Higgins is listed amongst the four "favourites". In my opinion, his form has declined much more than O'Sullivan's has, despite them being the same age. I don't see him winning another world championship (though given my recent track record of predictions, he will probably prove me wrong and go all the way this year!).

[BarryH]

Ding hasn't got it I'm afraid, once that eye starts twitching like inspector Dreyfuss, he's gone.

That made me laugh! We need a Youtube Inspector Clouseau/Chief Inspector Dreyfus/Ding Junhui/Cato mashup.

[Saint Michael]

I like the underdog everytime. Would like to see Michael Holt and Anthony mcgill do well. Think Mark Williams will shock a few. But my logical side says Trumps year

[billabong]

I think Selby will play himself back into top form as he progresses under the radar, and, win his second title.

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[Hal]

First of all, I would like to say that level of play this year through-out the season seemed a bit lower than in the previous season, but I might be wrong. What I believe, it will be really hard for players to provide us with such a threat as was the last year championship, the best tournament I have seen in my 10 years of watching snooker.

As for the draw, I think the most unlucky was the defending champion, Stuart Bingham. With no doubt, most would agree with me that Ali Carter's ranking is not corresponding with his ability and he has very strong record in Sheffield, it seems like a close tie, but the pressure will be on Stuart,
I will go with Ali here.
Other interesting match-ups for me is Williams vs Dott, as Mark form has not been good lately and
I would be very happy had he make it far in this tournament, but I am not sure, Dott has pretty good record in The Crucible as well and hard obstacle awaits in the second round most likely in the shape of Neil Robertson.
As for the rest of the matches, most qualifiers are really strong this year, so we can have quite a few up-sets.

As the question of OP is who is going to win this tournament, I think this might be the year for Mark Selby second world title. He has had one of the weakest seasons, he had withdrawn from last two tournaments, which might help him to be rested. Also his part of draw is relatively favourable, with first “real contender” match for him might be in the quarter-finals.
Apart from Selby, I would include in the favourites group following players: Robertson, Trump, O’Sullivan and maybe Mark Allen.

Anyway, I can’t wait till tomorrow, waiting eagerly for the action!

[jwinsor]

I hope Trump wins too but I feel Robertson is due, should be a great tournament !

[Caroline]

I hope Ding can win it this time; otherwise Mark Selby or John Higgins

[Sam1036]

It feels like it should be Judd Trumps year, but he's got a very tough section to navigate first.

I've previewed the first round on my website here - http://www.beyondthebaize.com/snooke...nships-preview

[JimMalone]

I think Selby will play himself back into top form as he progresses under the radar, and, win his second title.

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I'd like to see Selby take it, as I think he definitely deserves a second World title. But pulling out of two previous tournaments because of personal reasons doesn't sound too good to me. Of course I don't know this reasons, but I fear this could mean he might not be able to fully focus on the World Championship.

[wemba]

Would love to see O'Sullivan in the final in a close match.

But all players have their weaknesses:
O'Sullivan can brood and lose interest if kept in his chair.
Robertson can get very negative and lose confidence under pressure.
Higgins and Allen are overweight and that affects certain shots at critical times, especially when one leg has to come up onto the table.
Trump's weakness is that he has no Plan B and his safety game can be patchy.
Selby's head movement on the shot has always been a liability.

The thing that made Hendry great was that he was virtually weakness-free.

[cueman]

Ronnie is my favourite because I think the draw is favourable. If he should go out it will be early on but if he navigates the first two rounds I think his experience and quality will be too much for the rest of the field. Not only that but he has to be the freshest player there, fatigue can't really affect a guy who has only played in 3 events all season.

No point really talking about the other players because they have all had periods this season where form has been a struggle, and the long hard seasons most have had, the longer they stay in the event, the more likelihood their game will dip because its impossible to play well every round which is what you need to do to win the title.

Only Kyren Wilson I see as a dark horse as I think he has the winning mentality that makes him a dangerous opponent and is young enough to have the stamina to last the course.

[ADR147]

I think Selby will play himself back into top form as he progresses under the radar, and, win his second title.

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I think he has zero chance. personal issues have done for him this year.