I take this as great odds and it's possibility they will drop so I will take them now. World Champs starts on 19th April, but semi finals will be played on 1st May.

I see Maguire here as a big favorite to reach semi finals. His potential opponents in his road to semis are Steve Davis, Nigel Bond, Anthony Hamilton, Stuart Bingham, Graeam Dott, Joe Perry and Neil Robertson. Maguire is absolutely the best player and player in best form from all this players.

How are the others?

Steve Davis is veteran, one of the best players snooker ever had but know is to old. His carrier is near end and he almost certainly won't reach semis.

Nigel Bond is as well and veteran who is in a bit better form than Davis but still not good enough to do something big and to reach semis is big. He was never one of the best players in snooker, win one tour, British Open and that was in 1996. Last 5 years he usually lost in first or second rounds when he manage to qualify. To sum up, Nigel Bond as well almost certainly won't reach semis.

For Anthony Hamilton this is one of the worst seasons in his carrier. He isn't great player, but on his day he can beat some better players. However in this season he did nothing. He didn't manage to qualify on most tournaments and if he did he would lose in first round. I expect that is going to repeat on Worlds cause in the first round he is playing vs Maguire.

Stuart Bingham is though player to beat. On his day he can play really good but as well has some days when he can not pot a ball. He is in my opinion one of the most not consistent players. You never know if he will play good or bad but he never plays 2 matches in a row good and if he want to reach semis he will have to play more than 2 good matches in a row. Not likely to happen.

Graeme Dott is in terrible form. I will just say that he win just one match in this year ( maybe two, but I am quite sure it's one). I must admit I do not like Dott. He is kind of player that has to be 100% focused otherwise he will probably lose match. He is not very talented player but he works hard. He is former World Champion but I think he will lose in first round cause he is playing vs Joe Perry.

Joe Perry is player that has bigger capacities than he shows. Extremely though player to beat. He can beat anyone and in my opinion he will be the biggest threat to Maguire. However I see Maguire as much better player and in better form. But Perry could be a surprise here if Maguire wouldn't have his day. Hopefully,Maguire will play as he plays whole this season.

Finally Neil Robertson. Young, talented player is out of form this season. After previous two season I expected his explosion this season for some reasons that didn't happen. Instead, Robertson this year even lost his trademark, long pot shots. He didn't have great control of white like Ronnie,Higgins,Murphy.... but he had great shots form distance. However I do not believe he will improve his form and even if he does still he needs to beat Maguire what is hard to expect.

So Maguire is definitely biggest favorite to reach semis. Other players and fans used to call him On Fire Maguire but they stopped to call him like that after 2 bad seasons he had. Now Maguire is again on fire.

Pick : Stephen Maguire to reach semifinals
Odds : 2.50
Stake : 10 / 10
Bookmaker : Bwin
Date : 2008-04-30
Match Result :
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