We are down to the one table set up inside the Crucible Theatre on Thursday as the World Championship semi-finals begin on what is always one of the most iconic days of any snooker season.
The three-day marathon matches, requiring the winner to reach 17 frames, see the first session of each played out on Thursday before embarking on their journey before a conclusion on Saturday where the men who progress will play for £500,000 over the holiday weekend.
Bet on the snooker with sponsors Betfred. New customers can get £30 in free bets + 30 FREE SPINS when you bet £10. Ideal for the Sheffield extravaganza! Click the image above to take up this promotion. 18+ T&Cs apply
Dave Gilbert vs John Higgins (Thursday 1pm, Friday 10am, Friday 7pm & Saturday 2.30pm)
The first semi-final is a clash between a man who will walk out into this venue with the one table in it for the first time and someone who is something of a past master of this stage of the tournament as Dave Gilbert faces John Higgins for a place in the final.
Gilbert has breezed his way through a tricky part of the draw. On paper he hasn’t had an easy match yet and he’s unlikely to get one now either. Higgins has come through three tight battles to force his way into this semi-final and after failing in the final the last two years, he is carrying plenty of motivation to leave with the title now.
I like over 28.5 frames here. The price might only be 8/11 but I think that is great value. I think both are on top of their form and once Gilbert settles into the environment this is the kind of place that should see him flourish. He has thrived in the latter stages of the German Masters before so I expect him to play well here. Higgins will too so I don’t see this being won any easier than 17-12 either way.
[the_ad_group id=”3624″]
Gary Wilson vs Judd Trump (Thursday 7pm, Friday 2.30pm, Saturday 10am & Saturday 7pm)
The second semi-final sees the last qualifier standing in Gary Wilson taking on the man who has been touted for the title ever since he won The Masters earlier in the campaign in the shape of Judd Trump.
Neither man have had their hands on this trophy before and both are two wins away from achieving their lifetime goal. What I’ve liked about both men this week has been their improvement as the tournament has gone on with both delivering their best snooker so far in the quarter final with Wilson beating Ali Carter with a fair bit to spare and Trump caning Stephen Maguire with a good deal in hand too.
These two have only met once in their careers and that came earlier this season at the World Open where Wilson actually won 5-3. This is a whole new ball game of course but with six tons in his last two matches Wilson is playing some nice stuff and I don’t think he’ll shy away here. If I’m honest I expect Trump to beat him but the Tynesider is getting 6.5 frames in this match. Given how well he is scoring and how he has mixed it with Mark Selby and Ali Carter in the tactical department, that cap is too big.
I also see no reason why Wilson won’t bang in a couple of tons here. He has six in his last two matches including four against Ali Carter so he’s going at just over one every four frames since the first round. If he keeps that ratio up he only needs to win nine frames. I expect him to do that so the scoring should take care of itself.
Tips
WON – Back D.Gilbert vs J.Higgins – Over 28.5 frames for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with William Hill
Back it here:
WON – Back G.Wilson (+6.5 frames) to beat J.Trump for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Coral
Back him here:
Back G.Wilson 2+ centuries for a 4/10 stake at 2.38 with Ladbrokes
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2019
