The Masters is a top event and it really is the cream of the crop in the snooker playing in it, only the best need apply here.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has got a very enviable record in this event, he’s a seven-times champion and he’ll take some beating again this week.
Mark Allen, the defending champion, comes in on tremendous form too. He fiddled his way through a few rounds at the Scottish Open and got into to the final, where he put on a great show to beat Shaun Murphy.
He’s massively improved and he comes in with the confidence of having won this before. Allen may be a 10/1 shot because he’s in O’Sullivan’s half of the draw, but besides that he’s playing some really good stuff.
He could be the second best player on the circuit at the moment.
Another blast off for the Rocket
Ronnie is like a fine wine really, he’s improving. The Rocket is actually playing a slightly different type of game these days and it makes it really difficult to beat him.
He’s not just blitzing you off the table, his safeties and his match play have been exceptional. His attitude has been brilliant too and he’s definitely the one to beat here.
The tournament is perfect for O’Sullivan because it is so near to where he resides and he’s 2/1 to take it home. He lives in Chigwell, so he can sleep in his own bed at night. He can head in then to play his matches, win and then go home again.
I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t at least in the final and it is only Mark Selby from the bottom half of the draw that can be the kryptonite to Superman – if he plays is absolute best.
2/1 may look like a big price come next Sunday!
Sunday Tips
Mark Allen v Luca Brecel: Allen (-2.5) frames – 8/11
I can see this being a straightforward affair for Mark Allen and I’m tempted to take the 8/11 shot on him (-2.5) frames. It’s a big occasion for Luca Brecel, I believe he’s tailormade for Allen’s game.
John Higgins v Ryan Day: Higgins (-1.5) frames – Evens
This is a very tricky match-up for me to call.
If it was the Higgins of old, I’d fancy him strongly to win this. These two met in the quarter-final here last year and Higgins won that 6-1.
I’m going to take The Wizard of Wishaw to score victory again, but it’s not going to be that easy. Go with Higgins (-1.5) frames at Evens.
Pot over to PaddyPower.com for all your Snooker bets