It is semi-final day at the English Open on Saturday with both matches being played out inside the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes as we determine who will compete for the Steve Davis Trophy in the final on Sunday.
We have three of the best players in the world on show across the day along with a surprise package who will be looking to continue his good week. We go up to the best of 11 frames for these semi-finals and that should ensure the quality is high.
Afternoon Session
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs John Higgins
The day kicks off with the latest renewal of the snooker version of ‘El Clasico’ as two of the best to ever do it battle once again when Ronnie O’Sullivan takes on John Higgins in what could be a special ‘Class of 92’ showdown.
Both these men are playing well. Higgins declared earlier in the week that he is hitting the ball as well as he has ever done. One concern for him here is his quarter final against Yan Bingtao was a bitty affair and might just have altered his rhythm. O’Sullivan cruised through his last eight clash against Luca Brecel with another barrage of scoring and then once again yapped incessantly about his tip in the post-match interview. That is all absolute cobblers. He is playing incredibly well and is my favourite for the tournament. I respect Higgins a lot but when O’Sullivan is at his best nobody gets near him. He wins this and has a bit to spare for me.
Safer Gambling Week
This week is Safer Gambling Week, an initiative we are fully supportive of on this website. If you are having a problem with your gambling click the image below for help.
Evening Session
Mark King vs Neil Robertson
The evening semi-final sees the surprise package of the tournament looking to make it back to the final of a Home Nations tournament when Mark King faces off against the man who was beaten in the title match of this event last year in Neil Robertson.
King has played very well this week and has Stephen Maguire, Tom Ford and Judd Trump among his victims so he certainly won’t be fearing Robertson. I would imagine Robertson would be pretty confident going into this match though. He came out on top in an absolute classic quarter final with Kyren Wilson on Friday evening where he played somewhere near his best stuff and if he has that with him again here he’s likely to win this week. King will fight hard though and might make this competitive. The bet I like here is King to score over 1.5 50 breaks. He isn’t the heaviest scorer but Robertson was pretty strong when saying he won’t let this match turn scrappy and get involved in a game which doesn’t suit him. That might mean he’ll take a risk or two too many. King might not be the biggest scorer in the game but he knows he’ll have to score to have any chance of winning this match. He’s playing well enough to make two 50s win, lose or draw.
Tips
Back R.O’Sullivan (-1.5 frames) to beat J.Higgins for a 3/10 stake at 2.10 with Betfair
Back M.King – Over 1.5 50+ breaks for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Betfair
Back them here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2021
