Snooker World Championship Final predictions: Fast start can help Wilson claim Crucible crown

- Kyren Wilson lost the 2020 Worlds final
- Jak Jones is aiming to become the first qualifier to win the Worlds since 2005
- Recommended bet: Kyren Wilson 50+ break - 1st frame

Kyren Wilson and Jak Jones meet at the Crucible in a best-of-35 tie to decide who will be crowned world snooker champion for 2024.

Wilson has been here before, losing 18-8 to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the 2020 final and he has recovered from a couple of lean years to storm through in Sheffield.

His opponent, Jones, is aiming to become the first qualifier to win the tournament since Shaun Murphy in 2005.

The Welshman came through a gruelling semi-final against 2015 winner Stuart Bingham, but that victory's arduous nature may lead to him making a slow start.

By contrast, Wilson cruised past last four rival David Gilbert and, after having had time to regroup and refresh, will target a fast start to avoid a repeat of his 2020 heartache.

The stats

Wilson has defeated Dominic Dale (10-1), Joe O'Connor (13-6), John Higgins (13-8) and Gilbert (17-11) to reach his second Crucible final after losing in the second round in both 2022 and 2023.

Jones came through qualifying and has since beaten Zhang Anda (10-4), Si Jiahui (13-9), Judd Trump (13-9) and Bingham (17-12).

The Welshman's previous best result at the Worlds came last year, when he qualified for the event for the first time and reached the quarter-finals where he lost 13-10 to Mark Allen. 

Wilson and Jones have met five times, with the Englishman holding a 4-1 advantage in their career head-to-head.

Their most recent meeting came in the last 64 of the 2021 UK Championship when Wilson opened with a century and went on to win 6-0.

Prediction

Wilson recorded a break of 73 on his way to winning the first frame against Gilbert and has made a habit of scoring well in the opening frame of his matches in Sheffield. The 32-year-old made 70 in the first frame against Higgins and 52 against Dale.

After a late finish against Bingham, it is not unfair nor unrealistic to anticipate a slow start by Jones as he looks to control the adrenaline that will have been surging through his veins and may have hampered his rest and recovery.

The world number 44's semi-final success was a real test of mental strength. He and 2015 champion Bingham dueled for over 12 hours at the table and mental fatigue could be a factor after such a tactical match that included long spells of the pair trading safety shots.

Things were more routine for sixth-seeded Wilson, who was imperious in his victories over Higgins and Gilbert, winning eight of the last 10 frames against the latter.

With experience on his side, Wilson should be the more relaxed of the pair and can make another decent start on his way to a potential victory.

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