With key changes in the snooker calendar this season, and so many players going to Telford in good form, it stands a good chance of being one of the best tournaments of its kind in a number of years.As usual, there are a clutch of the world's top player being backed to lift the trophy, but even beyond that, there's bound to be a susrprise or two.
No matter who you speak to in the snooker world, everyone has their opinion.
OnCue asked a select panel to give their views ahead of the action by looking into their crystal ball...
Nigel Bond, world ranked number 39, said: "I was gutted not to qualify for this year's tournament and early on in the compeition it's going to be difficult for me to watch knowing I'm not there. But, as the event goes on, I'll probably be watching a bit. This year, I think Ronnie will win it. If his head is right, I don't think anyone can touch him, and he's playing excellently at the moment. I'd also watch out for Mark Williams because he's back playing well again. Out of the qualifiers, I expect Martin Gould to enjoy a good run as well."
Igor Figueiredo, world ranked number 70, said: "I'm a little sad not to have qualified because it's a very important event, but I think my fellow professionals who made it through, really deserved it. I'll be watching the matches to try to improve my own game because there will be some good players who have great tactics. I think John Higgins or Ronnie O'Sullivan will win the event. They are very good at the moment. When Ronnie wants to play, he is perfect, and Higgins has an amazing tactical game. There are a lot of top players who can win as well like Ding Junhui, Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy. I'm pleased to see Mark Joyce at the tournament, and I'm looking forward to watching Jimmy White as well."
Former professional Jason Pegram said: "I will watch the games that I know will be exciting snooker, with the players who float my boat. I think if Ronnie plays even at 80 per cent of what he's capable of, he'll win, no danger! Obviously Neil Robertson and Mark Selby will be in with a shout, as well as the returning John Higgins, but his attention may be distracted this time. Over 17 frames, any player could be a dark horse in this tournament but I'm not impressed by the standard of the players breaking through at the moment. I'm really dissapointed with players such as Jamie Cope, Judd Trump, Mark Allen and some others who feel they should be making a serious challenge in events but seem to still lack table knowledge and knwoing when to play the correct shots. It's all pot, pot, pot but no brain, brain, brain. I'd love to see Stu Bingham go all the way if he beats Ronnie, and that's a match I'll be looking forward to as well as Jimmy against Stephen Hendry. They're both nowhere near how they once were, but it should still be a classic."
Snooker coach Del Hill said: "I think Ronnie will win it, because he's still the best player out there. When he's on his game, he makes a very difficult game look easy. I also think Mark Selby has a good chance. He's been down to my snooker farm in Lincolnshire and he's a terrific match player. Martin Gould could be the dark horse of the competition but I'm also pleased for Jimmy. It's great to see all his hardwork is paying off."
OnCue editor Gary Moss said: "My heart says Ronnie and he's definitely playing well enough to win, but I still have a clouded view of whether he can sustain his best form in this tournament. Looking at the draw, to win the event, he'll probably have to beat John Higgins or Mark Selby in the semi-finals, which is the type of game I can see him still losing. On the other side of the draw, I think Robertson will take some budging, but I'd be surprised if Ali doesn't make it the last four. Once he's that far, he'll be determined to go all the way. As for a dark horse, I've got a feeling about Ryan Day. He's due some fortune and ended his match against Jamie Burnett in qualifying strongly."
Fan Delnnic Reeve, from Pontypool in South Wales, said: "I can't wait for the UK Championship, I'm buzzing. You've always got to fancy Ronnie to be in the running, but I've got my eyes on Gould. The man's in flying form. He's worked bloody hard and is due winning a ranking event. He's a nice guy, and I want to see his hard work pay off."
Fan Andy Kates, from London, said: "I've been hugely impressed with Shaun Murphy this season and think he has some big wins ahead of him in the months to come. My money is on him to take the UK Championship. But I also have a feeling that Ricky Walden will make an impact this year - if he's on top of his game, I think he could make it to the semi-finals."
Fan Adrian Hammond, from Dublin, said: "I'm going to put some money on Robertson at 8/1. I backed him at 12/1 at the Crucible and he delivered for me then. He's a confident player and a very good potter. He'll have to watch out for Williams though, as he's back playing well."
Fan Fee Lloyd, from Shropshire, said: "I'm looking forward to the tournament a lot as I will be going to watch a few sessions live, as well as on the TV. I think Ronnie will win it because he's playing so well at the moment. Obviously world champion Neil Robertson is another contender. Mark Williams has done really well to get back into the top 16, so I wonder if he's got more to show us this week. But we'll just have to see who plays the best throughout the week because anything can happen. As for the matches, I'm looking forward to watching Stephen Hendry versus Jimmy White in the first round, like everybody else." 
Fan Nathan Millward, from Doncaster, said: "This is a difficult event to predict. I rate Ding highly but I'm not sure he'll defend his title. He doesn't look at his best conistently this season but I think he'll make it the semi-finals along with Ronnie, Robertson and Williams. I'll be rooting for Jimmy, and everyone I've spoke to seems to think he's got a real chance of beating Hendry."
Fan Ken Drakeford, from Dublin, said: "I can't help but think Robertson will win the UK this year. He's an awesome player, and someone who just seesm to be getting better and better. I know one shot doesn't win trophies but some of his single-ball potting is spectacular. Aside from Robertson, I'll be watching out for Ali Carter and Shaun Murphy. It's not exactly an outside shout but maybe Mark Allen too. I think he's yet to show his very best at the major events.
Fan Helen-Claire O'Connor, from Huddersfield, said: "Every player who is in the UK Championship has a realistic chance to win it. Snooker has never been as open for a winner as it is now. However, Mr Higgins seems rejuvenated after his enforced break from the game. (In my personal opinion, I don't think he was banned for long enough, but that's another story). He's certainly proved he's hungry with his results in the EPTCs and I wouldn't back against him right now. If he doesn't win, then I feel he'll be there or there abouts at the closing stages of the tournament. Of course Ding Junhui has blazed back to form this season, and would have certainly been in the finals of the PTC had his visa not been missing in action. When I've seen him play, he looks like he's somewhere near his best again. I think he has at least one major tournament in him this season, and this could be the one. I think Martin Gould will be the dark horse. Without a shadow of a doubt, he's the most improved player of the season. If his form continues he could cause what the viewing public might consider a shock result. His fellow pros however won't relish meeting him along the way. If there's a ball on the lampshade, then you'd fancy Martin to pot it in his current form. Given my previous comments, I'd love to see Higgins play Gould in the second round. It will be a match where both players have something to prove. Higgins needs to restore some dignity, and Martin will want to stamp his talent on TV for all snooker fans to see. This could be a cracking match for all the right reasons. Something snooker needs badly right now."
This is good :) I'm hoping Shaun Murphy does well too. He's a lovely man and deserves to win it again :)
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