Zhao Xintong worthy favourite for World Championship, but do not count out Ronnie O'Sullivan - Alan McManus and Jimmy White
Published 02/03/2026 at 16:21 GMT
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The snooker season is in the home straight, with two events remaining before the players head to the Crucible in Sheffield for the World Championship. TNT Sports experts Alan McManus and Jimmy White have given their thoughts on the chances of Ronnie O'Sullivan and Zhao Xintong. Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the World Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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Jimmy White and Alan McManus believe Zhao Xintong is the rightful favourite for the World Championship, but Ronnie O'Sullivan cannot be discounted as his game is "in good shape".
The biggest event in snooker is looming on the horizon, with the event getting underway at the Crucible in Sheffield on April 18 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Zhao is aiming to break the Crucible curse and become the first first-time winner to defend the title in Sheffield.
The Chinese superstar, so impressive in romping to the title in 2025, made a slow start to the current season, but is arguably the form player six weeks out from the start of the World Championship.
Zhao has three titles to his name this term - the Riyadh Season Championship, World Grand Prix and Players Championship - and is sharing favouritism with Judd Trump for World Championship glory.
"I think you have to say Xintong, joint with Judd Trump, is fair," McManus said on TNT Sports.
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Despite suggesting Zhao is a worthy favourite, McManus feels it will be tough for the 28-year-old to defend his crown.
"Without mentioning the curse, it was a perfect storm last year," McManus said. "All those pre-Crucible matches in qualifying, he was red-hot. Maybe not quite as hot this year, but still good."
White added: "Xintong, he went missing after winning the World Championship, but that I think was through doing so much commercial stuff in China, but now he is back and showing us his form.
"I think the bookmakers have got it right."
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Seven-time Crucible champion O'Sullivan has seen little competitive playing time this term, but is a single-figure price with the bookmakers.
There is still some doubt about whether he will be in the field at the World Championship, but McManus is confident O'Sullivan will bid for an eighth title.
"I think we can safely say we will see him there," McManus said. "Which version we will see is a different question."
White backed O’Sullivan for World Championship glory earlier in the season, and feels his game is in good shape.
"A couple of times I have said he needs to get some match practice prior to these big events," White said.
"He did, he got some practice with Aaron Hill and Jordan Brown in Belfast before the Masters and he pulled out. But his game, apparently, is in good shape."
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There are two events left on the calendar before the World Championship gets underway.
The players head to China for the World Open from March 16-22, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The event in Yushan will act as the final qualifying event for the Tour Championship, which runs from March 30 to April 5 in Manchester.
The Tour Championship is limited to the top 12 in the one-year rankings, and will give those players the chance to hunt for the £150,000 winner’s prize and sharpen their games for Sheffield.
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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the World Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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