World Championship Qualifiers 2023 (Sections 5-8)

Section 5:

To Qualify: Hossein Vafaei

Main Danger: Jackson Page

Other players in this section:

5.1 Andrew Pagett, Gao Yang, Duane Jones

5.2 Oliver Brown, Ross Muir, Martin Gould

After reaching the semi final of the 6 red championship in Thailand, Hossein Vafaei should by far be too strong for this section, although he will have a tough final qualifier against Jackson Page or Martin Gould. 

Section 6:

To Qualify: Joe O'Connor

Main Danger: David Grace 

Other players in this section:

6.1 Andy Lee, Andrew Higginson, Louis Heathcote

6.2 Sean O'Sullivan, Liam Graham, Sam Craigie

It's been a breakthrough season for O'Connor reaching the Scottish Open final and I expect him to make up for his final qualifying round defeat last year.

Section 7:

To Qualify: Joe Perry

Main Danger: Lyu Haotian

Other players in this section:

7.1 Peng Yisong, Michael Georgiou, Mark Davis

7.2 Sanderson Lam, Liam Pullen, Mitchell Mann

Apart from the final round between Joe Perry & Lyu Haotian, I feel this is a straightforward section, hard to pick between the pair but I think Perry's experience in the longer matches will see him over the line to make his first appearance at the crucible since 2019.

Section 8:

To Qualify: David Gilbert

Main Danger: Jamie Clarke

Other players in this section:

8.1 Dechawat Poomjaeng, Mink Nutcharut, Matthew Stevens

8.2 Barry Pinches, Ross Bulman, Fraser Patrick

This section has 3 qualifiers from last years World Championship so will no doubt be very competitive. Although he can be hit & miss at times, on his day David Gilbert is a top 16 player and I feel he'll have too much for the rest in this section.