The European Masters kicks off in Belgium on Monday with action across two sessions as the continental European country sees snooker for the first time in a while. To mark the return of top level action to the area some huge names are on show on the first day.
They include the home hope Luca Brecel while Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and Kyren Wilson all take to the baize on a real star studded opening to the competition.
Afternoon Session
Both sessions on Monday have two sets of matches for us to enjoy. The TV table in the first session will be occupied by Judd Trump when he begins his title defence against Chris Totten. There is a streamed table too and that sees Soheil Vahedi facing Joe Perry. The outside tables in this part of the draw have Yuan Sijun playing Alan McManus and Jamie Jones against Martin O’Donnell on them.
The second man up on the live TV table will see Neil Robertson playing a first round match against Fang Xiongman while you will have the chance to see Martin Gould on the streamed table. He goes up against the youngster Billy Joe Castle. Zhang Yong plays Ben Woollaston on one of the outside tables with the other one going unoccupied.
Evening Session
The crowds will get the first chance to see their hero in action in this session when Luca Brecel takes on Sam Craigie on the main table. Kyren Wilson goes up against Gerard Greene on the streamed table. There are two matches on the outside tables. Dominic Dale faces fellow veteran Peter Ebdon on one of them with Aditya Mehta playing Michael Holt on the other.
Mark Selby is the last man up on the TV table when he plays his held over match against Mark Joyce who is capable of upsetting the big names. Northern Ireland champion Mark King is on the streamed table against Chen Zifan. Ken Doherty faces Jak Jones in the only match on the outside table.
[the_ad_group id=”3624″]
Betting
This is not an opening day which inspires me much from a betting point of view. I’m looking forward to seeing the set up and the big names on show but really they should all win at a canter, perhaps with the exception of Luca Brecel who might have his work cut out if he lets Craigie into the match.
On a day where a lot of one-sided matches are likely to take place there is just one bet that I like. It sees Dominic Dale taking on Peter Ebdon in a match I expect the Welshman to win. Dale is going along nicely this season without pulling up too many trees but I always feel his aggressive nature is better suited to this format than Ebdon’s approach. There is no time to go into a shell in these matches and Dale doesn’t do that. He can come through here.
Tips
Back D.Dale to beat P.Ebdon for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017
