Welsh Open: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The fourth and final Home Nations series event of the season begins on Monday as the world's top players head to Venue Cymru, Llandudno for the 2025 Welsh Open.

Gary Wilson is the defending champion and top seed following his victory over Martin O'Donnell in last year's final and the Englishman will begin his bid to retain the title against India's Ishpreet Singh Chadha.

Other notable contenders include reigning world champion Kyren Wilson, who opens up against Marco Fu, and the returning Ronnie O'Sullivan, who is set to feature at an event for the first time this year after a spate of recent withdrawals.

In total, 64 players - 32 seeds and 32 qualifiers - will cue up at this week's event and they will all be aiming to get their hands on the trophy and the £100,000 top prize.

Welsh Open betting tips and predictions

Kyren Wilson to win Welsh Open - 6/1

As he usually is when he features at an event, seven-time world champion O'Sullivan, who is also a four-time winner of the Welsh Open, has been installed as the 5/1 favourite to go all the way in Llandudno.

The Rocket has certainly proven in the past that he is capable of winning events despite not playing much competitive snooker in the build-up, but it is difficult to side with him with any real confidence, particularly as he is in the same half of the draw as 2025's form player Wilson.

It may be difficult for world number two Wilson to surpass his achievements of 2024, which saw him crowned world champion for the first time, but he has been in explosive form so far this year.

After reaching the final of The Masters at Alexandra Palace, where he found Shaun Murphy too hot, the Warrior has followed up with victory at the German Masters and a run to another final in the Championship League.

Wilson has won three ranking events this season, more than any other player, including the only man that currently sits above him in the world rankings, Judd Trump.

Trump is not featuring in Llandudno this week, which is a further boost to Wilson's chances of landing a first Welsh Open title.

The tournament has not always been kind to Wilson, although he did reach the final in 2020 when again he was beaten by Murphy.

Murphy is a possible opponent for Wilson in the quarter-finals and with O'Sullivan also in the same half of the draw, it will not be easy for the Kettering potter to go all the way, but on current form, no one will want to face him.

At 6/1, there is certainly value in siding with the 33-year-old, who will not get his tournament underway until Tuesday afternoon when he faces three-time ranking event winner Fu, who has twice reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Open, although the most recent of those runs was 21 years ago.

John Higgins to win Welsh Open - 14/1

The bottom half of the draw is stacked with world-class talent and players in form, with Wilson not only joined in that section by Murphy and O'Sullivan, but also recent German Masters finalist Barry Hawkins and home favourite Mark Williams.

While the top half still has big names in it, Mark Selby and Mark Allen included, the absence of Trump and the fact that defending champion Wilson has been struggling for form this season, means there is a more open feel to it.

One man that could benefit from that is John Higgins, who is seeking to end a three-year wait for what would be his 32nd ranking event title.

Higgins certainly knows all about winning the Welsh Open, he has lifted the title a record five times, most recently seeing off Hawkins in the 2018 showpiece.

His form this season may not be where he would want it to be, but the Wizard of Wishaw has shown flashes of what he is capable of, notably reaching the final of the British Open in September.

Being on the perhaps kinder side of the draw should also help Higgins feel his way into the tournament, as he opens up against fellow Scot Graeme Dott before potentially facing either Robert Milkins or Wang Yuchen in the last 32.

If he can build some momentum up in the opening rounds, Higgins could take some stopping in Llandudno and he may be worth siding with at odds of 14/1.

Read more snooker betting tips and predictions on site

Welsh Open odds

Ronnie O'Sullivan - 5/1
Mark Selby - 6/1
Kyren Wilson - 6/1
Neil Robertson - 13/2
Shaun Murphy - 8/1
Mark Allen - 9/1
Mark Williams - 12/1
John Higgins - 14/1
Jack Lisowski - 14/1
Barry Hawkins - 14/1

View the full market and more odds for the Welsh Open on site

Read the Welsh Open how to watch, TV channel, live stream and more on site

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.