The Final 16 commences
As soon as 16 gamers have progressed and 16 are out of the way in which, it’s time to look ahead to the second spherical which will get underway on Thursday to a notional 50% crowd, although based mostly on the take up in Spherical 1, I’d not get too enthusiastic about that.
Anyway, these are clearly now performed over one of the best of 25 over three classes, simply click on on the match to take you to the face to face stats and the protected haven for all anoraks that’s Cue Tracker.
TABLE 1
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Anthony McGill
Thurs 1pm, Fri 10am/7pm
Ronnie took some time to get getting into Spherical One in opposition to Mark Joyce, whether or not that was right down to his personal temper or the very fact the desk was enjoying badly within the first session I don’t know however what’s for sure is that when he did get going he regarded nearly as good as ever and that could be a good signal for his followers. He advised Rob afterwards that the followers had ‘lots extra to look ahead to’ which figuring out Ronnie is a cryptic manner of him saying that he’s right here to defend his title efficiently, however who is aware of? As for McGill, he did what he needed to do in opposition to Ricky Walden who doesn’t actually appear to have the ability to elevate his sport to the extent he used to nowadays and McGill pulled away impressively on the finish and by no means regarded like shedding. The pinnacle to heads right here present that in six makes an attempt, the Scot is but to beat Ronnie however we all know that McGill tends to avoid wasting his finest type for The Crucible and so they have by no means met right here. I believe the clues are there that Ronnie is bang up for this and fancies his possibilities of retaining the title so I’d not rush in to again in opposition to him simply but. This has a really feel of a match the place O’Sullivan takes command firstly and McGill by no means fairly will get again on stage phrases.
PREDICTION: O’Sullivan 13-7
BETS: O’Sullivan -4.5 frames at 5/6. Over 4.5 centuries within the match at 10/11.
Solar 10am/7pm, Mon 1pm
Heralded on the BBC as being a ‘huge shock’ Jamie Jones got here from 3-1 down to completely steamroller Stephen Maguire within the final spherical, trying precisely the identical decided, tenacious and busy participant that he regarded when he certified. To me at the least, that outcome was very predictable and much from the skyscraper shocker that some might fake it was. Bingham got here by means of the mill in a 3 session thriller in opposition to Ding and it’s the 2 qualifiers who do battle for a Quarter Remaining place. Avid readers and followers will know that I believe Jones could also be this 12 months’s Gilbert/Gary Wilson/McGill (delete as applicable) and I’m nonetheless satisfied that he’s bought the sport to actually make a reputation for himself on this. Bingham stays one of many greatest names within the sport and his scoring of late has been extraordinarily spectacular so I count on this to be a quick paced excessive scoring affair. Of the 2 within the first spherical I believe Jamie made much less errors however Stuart regarded the extra comfy within the balls so it’s a very robust one to name. The bookies make Bingham a really heavy favorite, I don’t suppose it’s something like that clear minimize in order that to me means there may be some worth on the market.
PREDICTION: Jones 13-11
BET: Jones -1.5 frames at 11/4. Bingham over 2.5 centuries within the match at 11/10.
Fri 2.30pm, Sat 10am/7pm
What extra could be mentioned about these two that hasn’t already been mentioned? 29 years as professionals and nonetheless on the high of the game. Many might have believed that their final epic encounter right here in 2018 when Williams made off with the trophy on his option to a season lengthy bender was to be their final, however no, three years later they’re right here once more and each have dwell and life like aspirations of touchdown one more title to their tally. Of the 2, Williams was most spectacular within the first spherical, Higgins was uncharacteristically poor however I believe it’s unlikely that he’ll play like that once more, if he does, it goes with out saying that he’ll lose. Williams appears very relaxed, assured even in a lot as speaking up his possibilities for a change. He’s nonetheless a incredible asset to the game and regardless that he has his critics for his detrimental break-off shot you possibly can’t underestimate his thought patterns behind it, he’s doing it for a purpose that he thinks advantages him and to hell with the critics. I believe they’ll once more convey out one of the best in one another right here and to me Williams has the look of a participant with one other large run on his thoughts.
PREDICTION: Williams 13-11
BET: Williams to win at 6/4. Over 22.5 frames within the match at 11/10
Sat 2.30pm, Solar 2.30pm, Mon 7pm
The fast factor you discover on the face to face stats between these two is that of the 12 occasions they’ve confronted one another, no fewer than 7 occasions they’ve gone to a decider, with the 6-5 scoreline being an extremely common final result. On first spherical showings there may be additionally little to decide on between them with them each scoring runaway wins to get right here, so all of the proof factors to a different very shut match right here. Allen was my choose to make it out of this half firstly and I don’t see any purpose to alter my thoughts however whoever emerges from this because the winner is clearly an enormous contender to win it, Selby regarded roughly again to his finest however he wasn’t examined within the first spherical and Allen’s opponent equally provided little resistance in order that they each come into this contemporary and unscathed. Sit again and luxuriate in.
PREDICTION: Allen 13-12
BET: Over 22.5 frames within the match at 11/10
TABLE 2
Neil Robertson v Jack Lisowski
Thurs 7pm, Fri 2.30pm, Sat 10am
The face to face report between these two reveals that in 5 makes an attempt, Jack is but to get the higher of Neil with their final assembly being over 19 frames within the latest Tour Championship with Robbo popping out a snug 10-5 winner. Jack is one other who got here by means of a very tense first spherical and the way in which he held himself collectively within the decider in opposition to Ali Carter reveals how a lot he’s growing as a participant within the extra tense conditions. Neil however did an absolute demolition job on Liang and appears very very similar to he’s bringing his latest type right here with him to the principle occasion. Neil is a heavy favorite to win this match and on that this time I agree with the bookies, Jack, regardless of his spectacular win, was nonetheless lacking balls in opposition to Carter which he received’t get away with lacking right here, he’s additionally not in the identical county as Neil with regards to the tactical aspect of issues. I believe the one manner Jack can beat Neil right here is by enjoying close to on no miss snooker for 3 classes and that could be a very tall order for anybody.
PREDICTION: Robertson 13-7
BET: Over 4.5 centuries within the match at 5/6.
Fri 10am/7pm, Sat 2.30pm
Two of essentially the most constant Crucible performers meet up in what’s prone to be a really prime quality encounter judging by their first spherical type. I’ve been so impressed with Kyren not too long ago, the one a part of his general sport that was missing, the heavy scoring, is now effectively and actually fastened and I can’t really consider any weak point in his sport. He can rating, he’s tactially astute and his temperament is excellent. As for Barry, I’ve been responsible prior to now a couple of occasions of underestimating him and it’s come again to chunk me on the bottom. He hardly missed a ball when let in in opposition to Selt, OK Selt had a lot of possibilities early on in frames so Barry might want to tighten up on that aspect of issues, however when he missed the Hawk effectively and actually swooped and received deceptively simply in the event you simply take the scoreline at face worth. I believe Kyren simply has the sting right here however these two are actually evenly matched so I’d not hassle with the match odds, as a substitute I can’t see any manner that this received’t be shut.
PREDICTION: Wilson 13-12
BET: Over 22.5 frames within the match at Evens. Kyren to make greater than 2 centuries at 11/8.
Sat 7pm, Solar 2.30pm, Mon 7pm
Masters Champion Yan made his Crucible debut 4 years in the past in opposition to Murphy, he gave him a little bit of a scare however the seed emerged on that event a 10-7 winner. Loads has modified since then and Murphy has had a quiet season whereas his opponent has been busy scooping up his first triple crown win, presumably of many. The final time they met was over a 12 months in the past and Yan dished out a proper previous pasting to Shaun so there’s a rating to choose Murphy’s half to cancel out that Crucible first rounder. That is one other that I believe will go very shut and may be determined with not many frames to spare. I believe Yan regarded the stronger of the 2 in his first spherical efficiency so on the energy of that alone I’ll aspect with him to only nick it.
PREDICTION: Yan 13-10
BET: No Wager.
Solar 10am/7pm, Mon 1pm
One other probably mouth-watering second rounder if Dave Gilbert can carry over his first spherical type to a gathering with the championship favorite. The primary spherical was one of the best Gilbert has performed all season and he gave the impression to be totally happy with himself afterwards. As with Mark Allen, generally a quiet (let’s not beat concerning the bush, not excellent) season can focus the thoughts and he’ll strategy this match I’m positive with a ‘nothing to lose, the whole lot to achieve’ perspective and that makes him harmful. Judd was desperate to stress (thrice in about two minutes) that he needs to play ‘with a smile on his face’ this 12 months, he’s not making an excellent job of it as he nonetheless doesn’t all the time look that joyful on the market however maybe I’m taking this too actually. Count on a large open attacking match with loads of frames determined in a single go to.
PREDICTION: Trump 13-11
BET: Gilbert +4.5 frames at 5/4
