John Parrott’s picks from Higgins v Trump and Williams v Carter

John Higgins v Judd Trump

John Higgins is 8/11 and Judd Trump is 11/10, and the way they’ve played this week you’d have to be on the Scotsman.

Trump was good yesterday, getting through against Ricky Walden having played properly in the final session, but over three sessions and 25 frames you can’t see Higgins giving him as many chances.

Higgins was brilliant against Jack Lisowski, so it’s him to win for me, possibly by a scoreline of 13-9 or 13-10.

Mark Williams v Ali Carter

Mark Williams takes on Ronnie O’Sullivan’s conqueror, Ali Carter. This could be the hardest match of the four to call. They’ve only played each other on three previous occasions, the last a long time ago.

Williams won in the Masters, Carter returned the favour in the UK Championship. Carter has to come down from the euphoria of beating Ronnie in a feisty encounter last time.

Williams has yet to be really tested, having played Jimmy Robertson and Robert Milkins. The Welshman has been playing great this year and has won two tournaments – he’s the 1/2 favourite here, which is probably right.

But 4/5 on Carter with a (+2.5) frame handicap might be the way to go. It could be very close.

Outright Betting

Eight remaining in the outright betting. I picked Ding each-way before the tournament and I wouldn’t swap him at this stage.

The only one I’d say is a bigger price than he should be is perhaps Mark Allen at 8/1. He’s got a great record against Higgins, so he’d be the one I’d worry about halting Higgins’ progress to the final.

Odds Correct at time of posting