2020 Matchroom Championship League – Group Stage 3 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 3 taking place?
Tuesday 2nd June, 2020
GROUP STAGE 3
PLAYERS
Louis Heathcote
Mark Joyce
Mark Davis
Michael Holt
FIXTURES
Michael Holt vs Mark Davis
Michael Holt vs Mark Joyce
Michael Holt vs Louis Heathcote
Mark Davis vs Mark Joyce
Mark Davis vs Louis Heathcote
Mark Joyce vs Louis Heathcote
PREDICTION
World number 25 Michael Holt is the favourite to top Group 3 given that he’s had the strongest season of all four competitors. The Hitman is the only participant to have won a tournament this season and that came in the Shoot-Out in February, while he also reached the quarter-finals of the World Open late last year. His closest rival for top spot looks to be Mark Davis, as although the experienced cueman has not had a particularly strong season, he has come very close to the winning the Championship League when he reached the final in 2015 so he should have some positive memories of this tournament.
BETTING TIPS
Michael Holt to win the group
Mark Davis to win the first frame against Louis Heathcote
Mark Joyce to beat Louis Heathcote