Like Skull did, here goes my thoughts on how I think the matches will unfold:
Ronnie v Hull: It is the first round and Ronnie might be a little bit rusty, therefore Hull needs a strong start if he's to stay in touch with Ronnie, and needs to have a good breakbuilding game. It all depends on how Hull starts, otherwise it will be an easy win for Ronnie.
Perry v Burnett: Exciting match isn't it
Hard one to call though, favour Perry a tad.
Murphy v Cope: Unless Cope really brings to the table his form from 2006-2009, I can't see him winning this match and Murphy might even have an easy win against him like he's had in recent times, Cope misses far too many easy balls these days I'm afraid.
Fu v Gould: Again a match between them at the Crucible, I expect a good and close encounter, I favour Fu because he's had a good season but Gouldy played well in the qualifiers so I won't be surprised if he wins.
Hawkins v Gilbert: Could be a cracker if both are on their game, but Hawkins is more confortable at the Crucible now and has been playing well recently so it might be close but Barry has to be favourite.
Walden v Kyren: Glad Kyren had a kind draw, and he can definately win this match if he starts well, because for me it will all depend how much the nerves will kick in playing at the Crucible first time. If he starts well, I actually favour Kyren for this one.
Mavis v Dale: Not too bothered about this one, but Mavis hasn't been playing nowhere near the form he was last year, so I think Dale might just edge this one.
Ding v Wasley: Wasley has no chance against the man who has won 5 rankers this season, Ding should win confortably.
Selby v White: Interessting match on paper, but White isn't quite there yet when it comes to competing against the real top players like Selby, Ronnie, Robbo, Ding or Higgins for instance because he lacks a good safety game. Easy win or not, I don't expect Selby to be upset here.
Carter v Xiao: Xiao is a cracking player so I think he'll adapt well to the Crucible, but Carter on the other hand always seems to play well here and he showed good signs at the China Open. I expect a good and close match, with Carter the winner.
Higgins v McManus: One for the purists, Alan got his wish when he said he wanted to draw a fellow Scot. But unless Higgins is way off his breakbuilding game Alan won't beat him here, but it could end up being close.
Bingo v Doherty: Bingo hasn't playing well recently but he'll want to make things right at the Crucible so unless Ken rolls back the years with good breakbuidling Bingo will win this one.
Trump v Ford: Ford has no chance whatsoever because he lacks a good safety game and Judd will exploit that, I actually think Judd will hammer him here.
Mags v Day: This could end up being match of the round, Mags form hasn't been great in recent times whereas Day has rediscovered his old form but I think both will play well in this match so I expect a cracking match this.
Allen v Holt: Holty seems to fall apart at the Crucible and Allen despite not playing that well recently (apart from his backyard Haikou) I think he'll bring his A game to the table, so I would be very surprised to see an upset here.
Robbo v Williams: I eppect this one to be similar to Ford v Trump, Robbo will hammer poor Robbie, and I think he may well make 3 or 4 tons along the way and edge ever closer to that magical 100 number he so badly wants.