2020 Matchroom Championship League – Group Stage 14 Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
What is the 2020 Matchroom Championship League? The Championship League is a non-ranking event that has taken place since 2008 and, while being a sought-after title in its own right, also serves as a qualifier for the Champion of Champions.
It will be the first competitive snooker to take place since the tour was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic and there will be several safety measures in place such as social distancing and virus-testing.
When is the 2020 Matchroom Championship League taking place? The 2020 Matchroom Championship League will take place June 1-11.
Where is the 2020 Matchroom Championship League taking place? The 2020 Matchroom Championship League will take place at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, England.
What is the prize fund for the 2020 Matchroom Championship League? The total prize fund amounts to £200,000 with all competitors guaranteed at least £1000 and the winner pocketing £30,000.
Who is taking part in the 2020 Matchroom Championship League? All 128 World Snooker tour card holders were invited to take part in the 2020 event, with the final line-up consisting of the top 64-ranked players from those who registered their interest. Many of the world’s top players are involved, although there are some notable absences such as John Higgins, Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy.
What is the format of the 2020 Matchroom Championship League? The 64 entrants will initially be split up into 16 groups of four. Those groups will be played in a round-robin format with two groups to be played to completion on each day from June1-8. Matches will be best of four frames, with three points for a win and one for a draw. If players are tied on points, then frame difference, head-to-head result and highest break will be the separators (in that order).
The 16 group winners will advance to the Group Winners’ Stage, consisting of a further four groups of four. These groups will take place June 9-10.
Those four winners will then compete in the final group – the Tournament Finals – on June 11 where the 2020 Matchroom Championship League winner will be crowned.
Where can I watch the 2020 Matchroom Championship League? Both ITV4 and Eurosport will be providing daily televised coverage from the event for viewers in the UK, with live streaming available on ITV Hub and Eurosport Player.
Free streaming is also available across the Americas, Asia and Africa on MatchroomLive – a new sports streaming platform.
Where can I get tickets for the 2020 Matchroom Championship League? No tickets are available for the event as it will be taking place behind closed doors.
When is the 2020 Matchroom Championship League Group Stage 14 taking place?
Thursday 4th
June, 2020
GROUP STAGE 14
PLAYERS
Mitchell Mann
John Astley
Matthew Stevens
Gary Wilson
FIXTURES
Gary Wilson vs Matthew Stevens
Gary Wilson vs John Astley
Gary Wilson vs Mitchell Mann
Matthew Stevens vs John Astley
Matthew Stevens vs Mitchell Mann
John Astley vs Mitchell Mann
PREDICTION
Matthew Stevens will have fond memories of the Championship League having won the event back in 2010-11 but it is fair to say the Welshman is not the player he once was. His best performance this season was reaching the quarter-finals of the UK Championship but such runs have been few and far between in recent years.
While he should still have too much class for John Astley and Mitchell Mann in Group 14, he could well come unstuck against Gary Wilson who has enjoyed his best season on the tour and will surely be confident going into this group. Wilson has beaten Stevens on all four occasions that they have met so, if it comes down to that match, you would fancy the Englishman to get the job done.
BETTING TIPS
Gary Wilson to win the group
Matthew Stevens to beat Mitchell Mann
Mitchell Mann to win the first frame against John Astley
