It has been a very good couple of days for the column with seven out of eight alternatives successful however, to be trustworthy, I’m far much less assured about at the moment’s remaining quartet of fourth spherical matches.
Top of the invoice is what seems to be a really one-sided encounter between Judd Trump and Ricky Walden. The world primary is a 1.141/7 likelihood to prevail so we’re facet markets.
Walden presents little risk to Trump
Walden is completely able to avoiding humiliation however an upset makes no attraction. He’s right here courtesy of a last body decider towards a struggling Mark Williams, through which he invariably wanted a number of probabilities to win frames.
Back Judd Trump to win 6-2 1u @ 16/5
He will not get something like these alternatives towards Trump, who leads their head-to-head 4-1, with the final three all coming in huge matches by clear margins. For an curiosity, strive 6-2 at 16/5.
Will Lisowski rise to the event?
Jack Lisowski versus Xiao Guodong may be very arduous to name. The former is the superior participant. It is unlikely however believable that he turns into UK champion, whereas I merely can not envisage Guodong holding the trophy aloft on Sunday evening.
However that’s mirrored by the percentages and on the flipside, Guodong is a way more stable, dependable kind. Nothing would shock however once more for an curiosity, strive Lisowski for the -2.5 Frame Handicap at 7/4 in hope that he brings his appreciable A sport.
Back Jack Lisowski to win the 2.5 Frame Handicap 1u @ 7/4
On the idea of their performances within the earlier spherical, Kyren Wilson and Graeme Dott might serve up a basic tonight. Both had been excellent in beating Kurt Maflin and Stuart Bingham respectively.
Bang-in-form Wilson stays a winner-in-waiting
In Wilson’s case, it got here as no shock. He’s been in effective fettle since shedding the Gibraltar Open last in a decider to Trump simply earlier than the primary lockdown. I used to be additionally impressed together with his efficiency towards Mark Joyce within the last-64 and observe he is now hit 9 80+ breaks within the competitors.
In distinction, Dott’s efficiency was an enormous enchancment on what he is been displaying of late. Whilst at all times revered, particularly in majors, the Scot is a way behind Wilson within the sport proper now – fourth versus twenty second on the earth rankings. Trust the youthful man to verify supremacy by way of the -1.5 Frame Handicap.
Back Kyren Wilson to win the 1.5 Frame Handicap 5u @ 8/11
Finally, I supply no opinion within the different match. Lu Ning has performed the very best snooker of anybody however it’s dangerous to assume it would persist. Likewise, Pang Janxu appears to be like a tremendous prospect and was very good in beating Maguire from 5-3 down, however that is the most important sport of his life.
Follow Paul on Twitter @paulmotty