It's that time of year again, when the Snooker World Championship returns to the Crucible in Sheffield.
Last year's winner Mark Selby is joint favourite for the 2017 World Championships alongside fellow Englishman Judd Trump but there's no discounting the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Ding Junhui, who all on their day can cause any opponent serious trouble.
If you fancy a cheeky punt on this year's World Championship, here are five of the ODDSBible's outright winner's picks:
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Mark Selby -
Fresh from winning the China Open in a thrilling 10-8 final victory over Mark Williams, Selby will be looking to keep hold of his title from last year.
The current world number one has won four ranking titles so far this season and will be looking to round off the season with another win.
In a season that he completed his second Triple Crown (winning the UK Championship, World Championship & the Masters, not all in the same season), the 'Jester from Lester' will be hoping to round off arguably his most successful season ever with another World Championship win.
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Bet365 make Selby the 4/1 favourite for the tournament.
Judd Trump -
Despite winning the European Masters and Players Championship this season, it is fair to say that it has been a 'nearly season' for the 'Juddernaut' having been to the semi-finals or further in six other competitions.
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Trump comes into the tournament with something to prove after being beaten in the quarter finals of the China Open by World Number 76, Hossein Vafaei.
27-year-old Trump, who is currently ranked 4th in the world, will be looking to go one further than his runner-up spot in the 2011 World Championship and end his season on a high.
Bet365 make Trump 9/2 to win the tournament, making it very clear that the Englishman is one of the most likely contenders to take home the trophy.
Ronnie O'Sullivan -
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Arguably the best snooker player in the history of the sport, it hasn't been Sullivan's best season. He started the season late, making his first appearance at the Shanghai Masters in what was his first game in five months.
Having only won one competition in the 2016/17 season (The Masters), O'Sullivan will be looking to win the World Championships if this year is to be considered a success for the 41-year-old.
The snooker genius seems to have been struggling of late, giving a string of bizarre interviews including blaming his waistcoat for a defeat and singing the Oasis classic Wonderwall.
However, you can never rule out 'The Rocket', which is why Bet365 have him at 5/1 to win the Championships.
Neil Robertson -
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In what has been a relatively quiet season for Australian, Neil Robertson who is currently ranked number seven in the world and is a little bit of an outsider for this year's World Championship in Sheffield.
Having only won the Riga Masters so far, it has been a disappointing season for Robertson who lost in the semi-finals of the World Open to Joe Perry, was whitewashed 6-0 by Ronnie O'Sullivan in the European Masters and suffered a shock first round loss to Peter Lines in the UK Championship.
Robertson is the type of player that always possesses the ability to beat his opponents, but after a poor season he is not a favourite to win the Championship and Bet365 have the 35-year-old at 11/1 to win the 2017 World Championship.
Ding Junhui -
Last year's World Championship runner up is back again this year and will be hoping to take it one step further and win the title.
Junhui, who is known for his ability in breaking, having over 400 competitive century breaks, has made a good recovery from a poor 2015/16 season, winning both the Shanghai Masters and Six-Red World Championship so far this year.
One of China's most well-respected and popular sportsman, Junhui even had a 26-episode animated series about his rise from a shy boy to a snooker superstar aired in 2010.
Junhui's appearance in the 2015/16 World Championship final, made him the first Asian player to reach the last stage of the competition, including fifteen century breaks, bringing him one short of the 2002 record set by Stephen Hendry.
Despite his impressive performances in last year's competition, the 'Star of the East' is somewhat of an outsider at 12/1 on Bet365.
It should make for an interesting competition, with many the favourites coming into this competition in relatively poor form.
Let us know who you will be making a punt for this year? Here at the ODDSBible, we fancy Mark Selby to retain his World Championship title to round off yet another impressive season.
Written by Jack Flannigan
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