The Players Championship continues on Friday night with the last of the quarter finals and the first semi-final on what looks to be another wonderful day of action in the second Coral Series event of the campaign at the Waterfront in Southport.
We see the top two in the one-year list in action on Friday and they go up against two very strong challengers so the quality looks to be guaranteed over the course of the afternoon and deep into the evening.
Afternoon Session
Mark Allen vs Shaun Murphy
The last of the quarter finals looks like it could be the pick of them on paper, and based on what we have already seen that is a big call as Mark Allen takes on Shaun Murphy for a place in the semi-final on Saturday evening.
These two are no strangers to each other. Not only are they good friends, as Murphy eluded to after his win against Dave Gilbert on Wednesday, but they have met on 17 previous occasions, with 12 of those matches going the way of Murphy himself, including their two battles this season. The unknown here is how Allen will be feeling because he sounded absolutely rotten after his win over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the first round, even though he produced one of his best performances for months.
I’m keen not to bet on anything that needs Allen to come out and deliver anything positive in case he is still unwell, although I don’t want to be massively opposing him given his three tons in the first round. The bet I like is for Murphy to make over 3.5 50+ breaks. Even if he loses here I don’t see him losing easily and generally when he wins frames against Allen he does so with a 50 break. In the 10 he won in the Shanghai Masters earlier this season he made nine 50s and in the nine he won in the International Championship he made eight 50s. I think he can make four here.
Open up an 888sport account before the Saturday Premier League game kicks off to get 50/1 on Watford to win OR 6/1 Liverpool to win! Click the image above to bet. New accounts only. Use code 888ODDS. 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware.
Evening Session
Judd Trump vs Stephen Maguire
The first semi-final of the competition sees the world number one and world champion Judd Trump looking to make another major final when he takes on a Stephen Maguire who is eyeing up a spot in his fourth final of the campaign.
This is a pretty big match for both men naturally, given that it determines who makes the final, but it is probably bigger for Maguire in terms of what is ahead. He isn’t in the Tour Championship yet and could do with a win here to assist with that, and any victory he does pick up would strengthen his claims to qualify automatically for the World Championship. Trump can just play this match without any of those thoughts in his head which might be an advantage.
Maguire usually lays it down to the better players in the world. He has done exactly that against Ding Junhui and Mark Selby already this week and his record against Trump is more than moderate. Trump has played some outstanding shots this week but I don’t think he has been at his best so I’m not convinced the world number one runs away with this one. Trump may well still win because he is just that bit too good at the minute but not before Maguire makes it to four frames.
Tips
WON – Back S.Murphy – Over 3.5 50+ breaks for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Betfair
Back him here:
WON – Back S.Maguire (+2.5 frames) to beat J.Trump for a 4/10 stake at 2.15 with Betway
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2020
