Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Ali Carter Preview & Prediction | 2025 World Snooker Championship | First Round

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There is no love lost between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter as the Essex pair meet in the first round at the Crucible.

Start date/time: Tuesday 22nd April, 2025: UK – 2:30pm / US ET – 9:30am / US PT – 6:30am

How to watch on TV: UK – BBC & TNT Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & discovery+ / US – Cannot be streamed

Tickets: Visit here for the latest ticket information

Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Ali Carter prediction

As is often the case with Ronnie O’Sullivan, much has been written about the seven-time world champion in the lead-up to the Crucible, specifically around whether not he will actually compete in a record-extending 33rd World Snooker Championship.

The Rocket has pulled out of a number of events in recent months and hasn’t played competitively since January, but his confirmed participation is a huge boost to the tournament where he has achieved so much.

In an twist of fate, the first-round draw has seen him paired with fellow Essex cueman Ali Carter – an opponent he has had his fair share of run-ins with in the past.

Both Carter’s final appearances at the Crucible – in 2008 and 2012 – ended in defeat to O’Sullivan, while he has won just three of their 27 career meetings.

In terms of form this season. Carter began the campaign by picking up his sixth ranking title at the Championship League, while back-to-back semi-final runs at the Welsh Open and World Open in recent months show that his game is in decent shape.

This is obviously a difficult one to call with O’Sullivan’s form very much an unknown. Despite the fact he has, in typical style, played down his prospects this year, facing Carter will no doubt fire him up and this one could go close either way.

Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Ali Carter tip: Over 16.5 frames