Free snooker betting tips: Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump meet in Players Championship semi-finals
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump are set for a blockbuster clash in the semi-finals of the Players Championship and Richard Mann is expecting a few fireworks.
Recommended bets: Ladbrokes Players Championship, semi-finals
2pts Judd Trump (+1.5) to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan at 10/11
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Snooker fans are in for a cracker on Friday night as two of the sport's biggest hitters, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump, meet in the semi-finals of the Players Championship in Llandudno.
O’Sullivan has been in imperious form this season, winning four ranking titles already, and the Rocket has looked on good terms with himself so far this week.
The 42-year-old had far too many guns for Graeme Dott when winning his opening match at a canter, 6-1, and then came from behind to down Chinese star Ding Junhui in the quarter-finals.
Ding looked to be firmly in control of that match when leading 2-0 but O’Sullivan was soon into his stride and compiled three flawless century breaks on his way to a 6-3 victory.
You had to feel for Ding, who didn’t appear to do a great deal wrong, simply coming up against a genius talent who has his game tuned to perfection at the moment.
For his part, Trump has also looked to be on really good terms with himself so far in this tournament and he gave Neil Roberston a real thumping yesterday.
It has been a welcome return to form for Trump who, having begun the season brightly, hasn’t quite been at his best more recently.
His safety game still remains a concern, especially against the very best, but his long potting is a frightening sight when in full flow and he has always been one of the very few who can match O’Sullivan in the break-building department.
O’Sullivan is a general 1/2 chance to make it through to yet another final but Trump is playing well enough to suggest quotes of 15/8 might just underestimate him.
With the insurance of the handicap, Trump (+1.5) might be the way to go with 10/11 looking fair.
Giving the attacking inclinations of both players, this clash should make for great viewing and the standard of snooker the pair have produced this week could suggest Sky Bet’s boost for four or more century breaks in the match at 9/2 might be in danger.
In the earlier game, Shaun Murphy and Anthony McGill clash in the last of the quarter-finals, the winner set to face Mark Williams on Saturday.
Murphy did really well to beat Kyren Wilson in round one, given his recent injury problems, but McGill enjoyed a fine win against John Higgins and he might be the value at 5/4.
Posted at 1200 GMT on 23/03/18.