Dott, Allen in the pink

THE 2011 World Snooker Championship begins in Sheffield on Saturday with a worthy 11-2 favourite in John Higgins.

The three-times champion and winner two years ago heads the world rankings, boasts the most astute safety game among the top players and is a prolific break builder.

He also possesses a rock-solid solid temperament so what is there not to like about his chance of winning a fourth world crown?

The Wizard of Wishaw is much the most likely winner and his price is a fair one given his decent draw and wealth of experience.

I would not put anyone off backing him, but the World Championship is no longer the closed shop it used to be.

Once upon a time, there was Davis, Griffiths, Thorburn and, perhaps, Alex Higgins.

Then came the likes of Hendry, White and Parrott.

But the last 10 years have produced six different champions.

There are far more potential winners these days and the event, which lasts 17 days and stretches the stamina of players and viewers alike, provides far more compulsive viewing than in the days of Davis and Hendry domination.

Bearing this in mind, there must be value to be had in the betting markets.

My idea of the last-eight draw (and yes, there will be shocks to scupper this projection) is: Neal Robertson (10-1) v Graeme Dott (28-1), Ding Junhui (17-2) v Mark Selby (6-1), Mark Williams (9-1) v Mark Allen (25-1) and Sean Murphy (16-1) v John Higgins.

Any one of these players is good enough to win if hitting peak form and, for me, two of them are overpriced.

The first is Dott, the 2006 champion, and runner-up in 2004 and last year to Robertson.

His Crucible record demands respect and the bookies have given him precious little.

The case for Allen is not so compelling, but he continues to climb the rankings and reached the semi-finals two years ago before losing 17-13 to Higgins.

One player I have not mentioned so far is Ronnie O’Sullivan, the game’s most gifted player and biggest enigma.

A succession of first-round exits in ranking events have seen him plunge down the world list and his odds of 8-1 to win the title are his biggest for many years.

O’Sullivan has enlisted the help of a sports psychologist in his efforts to solve the turmoil which goes on between his ears and, if the words of wisdom work, then you never know. The Rocket’s ability is undeniable.

However, that is a big “if” so, for me, the value lies with Dott and Allen even though Higgins is clearly the man to beat.


RECOMMENDATIONS: Graeme Dott, 28-1 (general), Mark Allen, 25-1 (William Hill).