2020 Matchroom Championship League – Group Stage 5 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 5 taking place?
Thursday 4th June, 2020
GROUP STAGE 5
PLAYERS
Lee Walker
Joe O'Connor
Liang Wenbo
Mark Selby
FIXTURES
Mark Selby vs Liang Wenbo
Mark Selby vs Joe O'Connor
Mark Selby vs Lee Walker
Liang Wenbo vs Joe O'Connor
Liang Wenbo vs Lee Walker
Joe O'Connor vs Lee Walker
PREDICTION
Mark Selby is the standout name in Group 5 with world number 34 Liang Wenbo likely to provide his biggest test. Selby has twice been a runner-up in this event and would dearly love to add this title to his glittering CV, and having one two titles already in the 2019-20 season, his game looks in decent shape.
Wenbo reached the quarter-finals of the Gibraltar Open prior to the disruption of the tour and he can also boast an even head-to-record with Selby with the pair having one six games apiece against each other so he will be a threat, while Lee Walker and Joe O’Connor are unlikely to threaten a surprise judging by their general for this season.
BETTING TIPS
Mark Selby to win the group
Liang Wenbo to beat Joe O’Connor
Lee Walker to win the first frame against Joe O’Connor