The quarter final line up for the UK Championship will be completed on Thursday when the final four matches in the Round of 16 will be played out inside the Barbican Centre in York.
The likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy are already into the quarter finals and on Thursday players such as Mark Williams, John Higgins and Stephen Maguire will be looking to join them.
Afternoon Session
Jamie Jones vs Dave Gilbert
Two of the lesser lights get the chance to shine in front of the cameras in this match in what is a huge game for both men. A quarter final in a tournament like this can have big impacts on a player’s ranking and also gone a long way to qualifying for some big events to come and whoever wins would have every chance against Marco Fu in the last eight.
Jamie Jones took care of Ding in the previous round while Gilbert saw off Ali Carter in a really good match which contained three centuries, two of them from the cue of Gilbert so both men look to be playing some good stuff at the minute. With that in mind there doesn’t appear to be much between the two so there isn’t anything that interests me here.
John Higgins vs Mark Allen
Without doubt the tie of the round is this one as the form horse going into the event in John Higgins takes on a man who hasn’t been playing badly himself in recent weeks in Mark Allen. Allen might thank his lucky stars he is still in this tournament after trailing Ryan Day 4-0 in the previous round but he showed all of his tenacity to come through and win 6-5.
Higgins hasn’t really been tested so far but he will be here because Allen always ups his game against the top players. I still fancy Higgins to come through but he is going to have to battle. We know he can do that of course and just the quality of snooker the two are producing should see us go beyond 9.5 frames before this one is settled.
Evening Session
Liam Highfield vs Mark Williams
The lowest ranked player who made it through to this stage takes on Mark Williams with a quarter final against Ronnie O’Sullivan the reward for the winner. Highfield has done well to make it this far but in reality he has just taken advantage of a draw which has opened up. Williams has played some nice stuff.
Credit to Highfield for getting this far but I think this one will be a step too far for him. Williams is looking really good in this tournament and I don’t see him failing but I’m on him for the quarter so I can just let him win and set up a tantalising match with O’Sullivan.
Luca Brecel vs Stephen Maguire
Two men who should be winning tournaments regularly meet in the other match in the evening. Shaun Murphy awaits the winner in the quarter final. Brecel has cruised into this stage of the tournament while Maguire was made to battle against Fergal O’Brien in the previous round.
I think this will be a good quality match. Neither of these two like to play safety and it certainly isn’t a strength of the Belgian’s game so I’m expecting the balls to be open and as such I’m expecting the scoring to be high. These two rattle up centuries when they are in the groove and the 8/11 on there being one here appeals nicely.
Tips
Back J.Higgins vs M.Allen – Over 9.5 frames for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Paddy Power
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WON – Back L.Brecel vs S.Maguire – Over 0.5 centuries for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Bet365
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