2020 Matchroom Championship League – Group Stage 2 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 2 taking place?
Monday 1st June, 2020

GROUP STAGE 2

PLAYERS
David Grace
Elliot Slessor
Daniel Wells
Judd Trump

FIXTURES
Judd Trump vs Daniel Wells
Judd Trump vs Elliot Slessor
Judd Trump vs David Grace
Daniel Wells vs Elliot Slessor
Daniel Wells vs David Grace
Elliot Slessor vs David Grace

PREDICTION
World number one and reigning world champion Judd Trump is the overwhelming favourite to top this group. The Bristolian has won the Championship League three times before and will be determined to reassert his dominance on this first tournament back after the enforced break.

Trump has met his three opponents here a combined 10 times and has won every match, so their best hope will be that the short format will level the playing field somewhat. Trump’s closest competitor may prove to be David Grace, who reached the quarter-finals of the Gibraltar Open – the last tournament to take place before the tour was halted (a tournament which Trump himself won).

BETTING TIPS
Judd Trump to win the group

David Grace to have the highest break against Daniel Wells

Daniel Wells vs Elliot Slessor to end in a draw