The first round of the China Championship is over and on Thursday the tournament kicks on another gear as the four quarter finals are played over two potentially scintillating sessions of snooker.
The cash is really starting to rise now with the difference between winning and losing in this round no less than £20,000. There is a title and a place in next week’s Champion of Champions up for grabs too so there is plenty on the line.
Mark Selby vs Mark Allen
The main match in the first session of the day is the one between the world champion Mark Selby and the former world amateur champion Mark Allen. Both men came through tricky ties in the first round with plenty to spare which suggests we should be set up for a good match here.
Generally whenever these two meet they do the distance. Four of their five major event meetings have gone to a deciding frame and if the Allen that banged in two centuries against Ricky Walden in the previous round turns up here then this one very well could too. At the odds on offer over 9.5 looks a bit of a no brainer.
John Higgins vs Ali Carter
The other early session quarter final sees John Higgins and Ali Carter meeting for the third time this season with Carter looking to complete a hat trick of wins over the Scot. Higgins looked in good touch against Mark Williams in the first round while Ali Carter took care of Judd Trump.
This is one of those matches which could go either way. I’d marginally favour Higgins’ all round quality but the recent history between the two tells me to sit this one out which is what I’ll do.
Shaun Murphy vs Marco Fu
The last remaining Asian player in the tournament Marco Fu takes on Shaun Murphy in a battle which historically he has done well in. Shaun Murphy showed all of his class against Joe Perry in the first round while Fu took care of Ding Junhui so there is little to choose between the two on that evidence.
I’ve a feeling this will be a really good match but neither have been particularly consistent this season so that in itself makes betting with confidence difficult. The prices are about right too so I’ll leave this one alone.
Stuart Bingham vs Michael Holt
Michael Holt’s emergence on the big stage continued on Wednesday when he took care of Neil Robertson in the deciding frame and now he faces Stuart Bingham for the second time in a week after they met in the quarter final of the International Championship. That match was an epic which went to a deciding frame and there is no reason why this one won’t be close either.
Both men scored well in their first round matches and I’ve a feeling this will be a pretty open match so I like the idea of there being a ton in the match. Bingham slammed in a ton in their match last week while Holt has 14 tons this season including three last week so the 5/6 on one in this match should be taken.
Tips
WON – Back M.Selby vs M.Allen – Over 9.5 frames for a 4/10 stake at 2.25 with Coral
Back it here:
WON – Back S.Bingham vs M.Holt – Over 0.5 centuries for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
Back it here:
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