Lei Peifan v Zhao Xintong: Prediction, Tips and Odds

A place in the quarter-final of the World Championship is the reward for either Lei Peifan or Zhao Xintong and both qualifiers have plenty of reason to be feeling confident following impressive first-round scalps.

Peifan edged past defending champion Kyren Wilson 10-9 in a thrilling first-round encounter while Xintong proved too explosive for last season’s runner-up Jak Jones, easing to a 10-4 success.

Xintong is currently an amateur, having been dumped off the snooker tour following a spell on the sidelines, but he won the UK Championship in 2021 and is bidding to make up for lost time.

Peifan, meanwhile, is the world number 39 and is featuring in the main draw of the World Championship for the first time having come past David Lilley and Gao Yang in qualifying.

Xintong had to win four qualifiers to reach the Crucible, overcoming Kai Wai Cheung, Long Zehuang, Lyu Haotian and Elliott Slessor, so should be razor sharp.

Lei Peifan v Zhao Xintong betting tips and predictions

Zhao Xintong -4.5 frames - 8/11

This match revolves around Xintong and, while Peifan has to be respected on the back of his 10-9 win over reigning champion Wilson, it is hard to see him being beaten.

Xintong is an amateur only in name - he won the UK Championship in 2021 - and after a spell on the sidelines he looks determined to return to the top.

The 28-year-old is without doubt a top-16 player at his best and there was plenty to like about his 10-4 win over last season’s Crucible runner-up Jones, a victory which featured breaks of 142, 91, 87, 84, 76, 70 and 70.

That scoring power makes him difficult to contend with and over this extended best-of-25 format he is fancied to run out a convincing winner.

Peifan did win their only previous meeting 4-2 at the Scottish Open but that was four years ago and the 21-year-old could easily be overawed by this occasion.

The younger Chinese player did win the Scottish Open earlier this season, claiming his maiden ranking title with victory over Wu Yize, but this represents a much tougher challenge.

Xintong rarely lets an opportunity to win a frame go by when he is at the table and his break-building prowess gives him a significant advantage in this encounter.

Peifan failed to make a century in his win over Wilson, who was clearly feeling the pressure of being defending champion, while he managed only two tons in his qualifying wins over Lilley and Yang.

Xintong, in stark contrast, had 12 centuries across his four qualifying wins and goes a long way to showcasing his talent. He is already as short as 5/1 to be crowned world champion and shows the respect the bookmakers have for him.

Over 2.5 Zhao Xintong centuries - 4/5

Xintong has had to win five matches to make the last 16 of the World Championship and he has racked up 13 centuries in the process.

The 28-year-old is a potential Crucible champion and he can show his scoring power in this all-Chinese affair, with a bet on him having three or more centuries making plenty of appeal.

Xintong is one of the best breakbuilders in the business and he constructed a brilliant 142 against Jones and that is currently the highest break to have taken place in the main draw.

Read more snooker betting tips and predictions on site.

Lei Peifan v Zhao Xintong odds

Lei Peifan - 9/2
Zhao Xintong - 1/7

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.