The Snookerbacker Blog

I've completed my investigations for Friday.

I thought now was as good a time as any to bash the preview up for tomorrow morning’s starts. Whilst the qualifiers always get more difficult as the gap in ability diminishes and the event goes on, I do think there are a couple of live betting matches tomorrow having looked at the odds.

As ever, the prices listed below are correct at time of posting, some might not last I reckon, so be quick. Remember that if you fancy any of the bets at Paddy Power you can take advantage of the introductory free bet offer by clicking the link to the price and joining up or by clicking the right hand sidebar link.

Unfortunately, I have been informed today that for legal reasons the offer at Paddy Power is limited to UK and Ireland punters, which is a shame as I know there is a decent following from Sweden, Russia and Germany amongst other countries on here. I’m afraid that this is something even my bargaining skills with the bookies can’t get around. Sorry (hangs head in shame).

But the good news is that there are no restrictions on the bets that can be won from any of the firms in the Festive Sack so please feel free to use the link to open accounts in case you win one of those.

In fact (I’m thinking as I write), to compensate I may have a couple of spot prize competitions for people outside of the UK and Ireland, it’s only fair. We are a global sport after all and I’m sure the generous regulars from these shores would not begrudge the likes of Philip, Teo, Mignon, Epure, Dani Martinez, Kimball,  Liggandestolen and I dare say a few others their own European competition for one of the prestige prizes (if they do I’ll kick them out, it’s bloody Christmas). I reckon a non-UK/Ireland Prediction Contest for the UK is the way forward. I’m working on it.

Anyway, oh yes, the preview. Shall we bash the bookies Ladies & Gentlemen? We haven’t had a communal flight to the beautiful village of Payout for a while now. Oh come on, let’s, it’s nearly Christmas after all. Just don’t get too greedy, all that turkey and stuffing can backfire.

2pm Starts

Jimmy Robertson v James Watanna

Jimmy Robertson is an improving player and he proved that his consistency in the early PTC’s, of which he has been close on an ever present, was no flash in the pan when beating namesake Neil in Prague on Saturday. He faces the veteran Watanna who came through in his own way against Kurt Maflin. The thing I have picked up on with James is that he very rarely these days wins frames in one visit, which can get you so far if you can hit consistent fifties but will get you found out eventually. The days of Perrie Mans winning an event without hitting a half century are long gone. He is still a capable player though but I’d say an on form Robertson has his measure so I’ll plump for Jimbo, not James.

Andy Hicks v Dave Gilbert (H2H 1-0)

I’m surprised given the length of these two’s respective careers that they haven’t met more than once. Hicks won their only encounter in the Shanghai Masters qualifying of two years ago 5-2. He isn’t in bad form judging by his results in the PTC’s and is a full 30 places ahead of Gilbert in the latest ranking list. With the odd exception, recently it normally takes a higher ranked player to beat Hicks whereas Gilbert can lose to anyone on any given day. I’ve already pointed out that he was on a dreadful losing streak until a couple of weeks ago but his first round performance seemed like he might have returned to a bit of form and as we know, sometimes it’s all in the mind. A difficult one to call as I rate Gilbert much higher than his current ranking of 80, but there are too many doubts about him and Hicks will be hard to beat. I’ll go for Slaphead.

Recommended Bet: Andy Hicks (4/5 at Sportingbet)

Alfie Burden v Mark Joyce

Cockney wide boy Alfie Burden returned to the professional ranks after a two year gap in time for the PTC’s, in which he has performed consistently enough. This is reflected in his immediate rise to 57 in the first revision of the ranking list. Mark Joyce made hard work of his first round match against an opponent that he should really have taken care of easier than he did. I think Burden is a bet here but not the bet of the day.

Recommended Bet: Alfie Burden 8/13 (widely available)

Is it time to form an orderly queue?

Michael Judge v Xiao Guodong (0-2)

Michael Judge has lost ten of his last twelve competitive matches. He has also lost the only two times that these two have met, most recently 4-1 in a PTC event. Guodong had a warm up match against Reanne in Round One, a match he was never likely to lose and I think all these facts add up to one thing. A win for Guodong, I can’t think of a single reason to oppose him here. A win for Judge for me would be a big shock. This is the bet of the day in my humble opinion. If anyone would like to join this train it’s leaving at 10am sharp from Platform 3.

Recommended Bet: 3 points win Xiao Guodong at 4/7 (widely available)

Ian McCulloch v Kyren Wilson

Wilson had a very good win over a more experienced opponent in Round 1 and it’s not altogether surprising that he now lines up against another seasoned campaigner in McCulloch. There is no doubt that at his best the Preston potter is a very good player but realistically he hasn’t reached the heights of a few years back for quite a while now. He’s a bit unpredictable too and not a player I like backing for or against. This is a watching brief for me and I have no strong feelings about either of them. There are more attractive propositions on show today, leave this one alone is my advice.

Jack Lisowski v Matt Selt (H2H 1-0)

Aaah, my pension plan Jack Lisowski, winner of last season’s ‘One to Watch’ Willie Award, who comes fresh from his impressive win over Zhang Anda to face Matt Selt. They met in a recent PTC when Jack won 4-2 but that won’t really bear any significance here I don’t think. Selt to me is a bit like McCulloch and you never really know how he’s going to play. At his best he is a top 50 player but at his worst he could lose to anyone. But he, like Jack has been busy over the summer taking advantage of the PTC events like all good lower ranked pro’s should. Now I know Jack is not yet the finished article, he won’t win anything this year but I’m not ready to throw the towel in at this event just yet and I think he’ll win again here.

Recommended Bet: Jack Lisowski 5/6 at Paddy Power

For Multiple Punters:

I’ll stick with what I consider to be the best two recommended above and go for a 2 point double on Guodong and Burden which pays just over 6/4 at Paddy Power. Oh go on then, I’ll also have a 1 point treble and throw Lisowski in too, this pays over 7/2 at Paddy Power.

Good Luck to everyone having a go. Drinks are on me if this Snokheist comes off.

A Whirlwind is forecast to hit Sheffield this afternoon.

Good morning everyone, oh what a lovely morning it is too, sunshine with that hint of Jack Frost, a full programme of snooker and a winning start to the qualifiers with two nice little accumulators landed from two. It almost makes me feel like singing.

Anyway, plenty of action to get stuck into today. The preview for the morning starts at 10am is here and I will be previewing this afternoon’s starts during the course of the morning. Entering the action this afternoon is none other than the Whirlwind himself.

In the meantime you can keep up to date with this morning’s scores over at World Snooker and I’ll update on here too.

Tonight’s Conclusions

Matt Couch 9-8 Paul Davies

Tony Drago 9-4 Liam Highfield

Joe Jogia 6-9 Jamie Jones

Peter Lines 9-8 Andrew Pagett

Rod Lawler 9-3 Ben Woolaston

Jimmy Michie 5-9 Liu Chaung

2.30pm starts

Anthony McGill 2-2 Patrick Wallace (turn the light off when you leave chaps)

Bjorn Haneveer 4-4 Simon Bedford

Michael White 6-2 David Morris

Jimmy White 7-1 Adam Wicheard

Friday preview here all. I think we should avail ourselves of the odds on offer.

Enter the Legend

This afternoon it’s not only parts of the UK that are white, both Jimmy and Michael take to the baize in their bid to make it to Telford.

Anthony McGill also starts out and regulars will know that I have been routinely backing him in each of the PTC’s this year in the hope that his big breakthrough will come sooner rather than later. To no avail but it’s still early days for John Higgins’ practice partner.

Belgium will also be on high alert as carpenter Bjorn Haneveer attempts to make the televised stages of a ranking event once more.

So to business, as ever where there is a head to head stat it is included in the preview and all prices are correct at time of writing.

Anthony McGill v Patrick Wallace

Anthony has been a very busy lad since he turned professional earlier this year. He has been an ever present at the PTC events and has risen to 61st in the provisional rankings as a result of this. Notable victories under his belt include Stephen Maguire and Stephen Hendry both of whom he beat 4-0, there aren’t many, if any professionals who can claim these kind of scalps within months of starting their new profession. Patrick Wallace is a tricky customer and is capable of playing some good stuff, he coasted through his first match and will be all the sharper for it, but I am going to side with the Scot as I think he is another that is going places.

Recommended Bet: Anthony McGill 8/13 at Paddy Power

Bjorn Haneveer v Simon Bedford

Bedford squeezed through his first match 9-8 on the black last night and I’m sure will be on a high just from that. Bjorn had a decent run towards the end of last season reaching the final stages of the China Open and only narrowly missing out to Martin Gould for a Crucible slot. But in amongst his highlights he does tend to throw in the odd turkey. I would not back him at the current odds of 4/7 as I don’t believe he should be that price to win this, but by the same token I wouldn’t back his opponent with any confidence either. No value to be had here, run along now.

Michael White v David Morris (H2H 0-1)

Two improving players. Morris made the televised stages of the World Open losing to eventual winner Robbo whilst his opponent White has been benefitting hugely from the PTC events and managed to make the Quarter Final in one of them. Michael started poorly in his first match but upped his game when he could have fallen a long way behind, a sign that he’s a battler. But I marginally favour Morris in this, he’s 20 places higher than White in the rankings, is more experienced yet is odds against to win with one firm. I think he’s worth a bet.

Recommended Bet: David Morris at 11/10 with Sportingbet.

Jimmy White v Adam Wicheard

Enter the Wind! The newly crowned World Seniors Champion goes back to basics today and faces the dangerous Wicheard. His first round win against Joe Delaney was not wholly unexpected but the 9-3 scoreline arguably was. Anyone who backs Jimmy at 1/3 to win this match needs their head examining in my humble opinion. The value is the 12/5 at Paddy Power on his opponent.  As ever though I hope Jimmy wins as I’d love to see him back at the big venues playing well. I’m not going to recommend a bet in this, though I am tempted, I have to stay loyal to Jimmy.

Will Drago bring his Explosive Blazing Automatics to Sheffield?

The winners from Tuesday evening are back in action for the early starts on Thursday and the winners from Wednesday afternoon take to the baize at 2pm. All against players ranked higher than them on the last ranking list update.

Bettingwise, it’s been a pretty decent start at least at time of writing with the first recommended accumulator obliging and the other one looking like it’s resting on the shoulders of Michael White this evening, this is bar a total ‘decombustulation’ (word of the week and possibly the decade) by Paddy Wallace, who in horse racing terms looks ‘home and hosed’.

Great news for the blog too today as Betfair have joined in the fun and pledged £300 worth of free bets to the Festive Sack which is now a veritable menagerie, dare I say plethora of Christmas cheer. We now have over £1000 worth of free bets from the bookies and loads of other stuff to split up and give away on every day of December. For any newcomers wondering what the devil I’m going on about click here.

So to tomorrow and let’s see what we can find shall we? Where there are head to heads, they are included in the preview. All prices are correct at time of writing as are the best prices recommended.

Remember, if you don’t have accounts with Skybet or Paddy Power, please use the clickable links on the right hand side of the menu to open an account and take advantage of introductory free bets. It’s worth all our while and future happiness if you do so. Thanks chapmen and chapladies.

Matt Couch v Paul Davies (Head to Heads 3-0)

Two of the head to head wins between this pair have come in 2010, 5-2 in the China Open and a 3-0 in the World Open. This suggests that Matt has that all important ‘edge’ between them. Davies managed to fall over the line against Patrick Einsle in Round 1 and should probably have won a little easier, but the old ‘day old Weetabix’ mentality and stubbornness is still there and sometimes he’s the type of player that has to be scraped off the table. Couch reached the final of an EPTC event last month losing to Shaun Murphy after victories over amongst others, Fergal O’Brien and Ricky Walden, the last time Davies beat players of that calibre I was getting knocked back from William Hills with my 5p yankee despite trying to grow a moustache to go with my 1980′s Chris Waddle mullet. On a clear day, Couch should win this one easily and is worth a bet at the price below.

Recommended Bet: Matthew Couch 4/7 Paddy Power

Tony Drago v Liam Highfield

Highfield made hard work of what, for him, should have been a fairly straightforward opener, but did enough in the end to win. Drago had the most incredible season on his return to the professional ranks last year but hasn’t really done anything of note in the handful of PTC events he has entered over the summer months. You never know what you’re going to get with the Maltese Falcon, but by virtue of the fact that on his day he is still a very good player I’ll side with him here but it’s not a betting match for me.

Joe Jogia v Jamie Jones

The battle of the JJ’s. Two recent PTC semi-final appearances, a high profile match against John Higgins, a debut on TV in the World Open and an uncanny resemblance to another JJ from yesteryear have instantly made Joe Jogia a familiar name to peripheral snooker fans. Strangely, he reached both semi-finals without having to beat a top 16 player along the way, but he did account for Ken Doherty and Matthew Stevens so showed that he can compete and win at a higher level than this. Jones is also a player that is improving and he has beaten top 16 players in the PTC’s, all these facts makes this a potentially high quality encounter and I don’t think there is a great deal between the pair. Provisionally Jones is ranked 53 and Jogia is 55, I can’t split them and won’t be betting on this one, gun to head I’d plump for Jogia, though I’d like Jones to prove me wrong.

Peter Lines v Andrew Pagett (Head to Head 2-1)

It’s a funny one this. It’s a classic case of a player that would win this match say 8 times out of 10 against one that won their last encounter and has had a solid, convincing first round win. Despite the fact that Pagett won their last meeting I think there is not so much a gulf but more a small sized valley class gap between these two and in a match up over the longer format, I’d go for the more experienced Lines every time.

Recommended Bet: Peter Lines 8/15 at Paddy Power

Ben needs 'a little patience'

Rod Lawler v Ben Woollaston

Long formats suit our Rod. Over the years he has become bracketed by some rather cruel people that write blogs, one in particular who shall remain nameless as rather a boring player to watch, snail-like even, the sort of player that makes you contemplate rather watching paint dry or grass grow. Anyway, that doesn’t bother him, he just gets on with it when all around him have gone to sleep. He learned his craft from the old school of hard knocks, from John Smith himself in fact and he has survived the ‘potfest’ years with this legendary Scouse grit and determination and good on him. Just a cursery look at the record of both players shows you who should win this. Woolly had a very easy win in Round 1 against an out and out potter, but he’ll need his tactical head on today and plenty of patience, I’ve got to side with fellow Scouser Rod here, we stick together, you got a problem with that kidda? The price at Sportingbet is better than I thought he’d be so I’ll even recommend it just on value alone.

Recommended Bet: Rod Lawler at 10/11 with Sportingbet

Jimmy Michie v Lui Chuang

Jimmy the Jolly Joker enters proceedings this morning against his nemesis, the clinical deadpan alternative comic Chuang. There should be laughs aplenty as Michie and Lui swap gags over the baize, each trying to outbully the other with their interpretation of humour. There is only one place between these two in the current ranking list, but Chuang despatched with Igor in Round 1 very impressively and seemed to rattle off frames in the morning at a rate of knots. I get the feeling the momentum will stay with him and he will use this opportunity to leapfrog over Jimmy in the rankings, he could be one to watch in this.

Recommended Bet: Lui Chaung 5/6 with Paddy Power

Thursday’s Multiple Bet:

In terms of a multiple on these, I’d recommend a 1.5 point treble on Couch, Chuang and Lines which pays a shade over 10/3 at Paddy Power here

Mighty Mouse.

Day Two of the UK qualifiers sees a potentially cracking match up this morning between Zhang Anda and Jack Lisowski. I wish they had live streaming…..

You can read my preview on each of the matches starting out, as well as the ones concluding this afternoon here. Both recommended accumulators are still running and if Guodong and Joyce can close out their matches this afternoon we are off to a winning start.

The plan is to preview the next bunch of 16 matches as and when prices start appearing. We already know the line up for tomorrow morning so hopefully the bookies will give us plenty of time to consider which one of them we’re going to annoy tomorrow.

Incidentally for anyone that missed it, there was a fine piece by Dave Hendon on his blog yesterday here, Bazza doing what he does best, talking tough.

7pm played to a finish

Joe Delaney 3-9 Adam Wicheard

James McBain 8-9 Simon Bedford (on the black)

Patrick Wallace 9-4 Jamie O’Neill

Michael White 9-6 Justin Astley

Jack Lisowski 9-4 Zhang Anda

Kyren Wilson 9-6 Paul Davison

Results from earlier

James Wattana 9-4 Kurt Maflin

David Gilbert 9-3 Issara Kachaiwong

Mark Joyce 9-7 Jak Jones

Xiao Guodong 9-1 Reanne Evans

Under John's Feet.

I’m looking ahead to the next qualifying round and hopefully a couple of early winning accumulators tonight but I should draw everyone’s attention to the interviews today with Barry Hearn and John Higgins.

Barry welcomes John back to the sport and John talks about his experiences this past month.

The more astute will notice that during his interview the cleaner decides to hoover around his ankles, only to be marched from the premises on John’s nod for getting too close to the action (check out the look he gives at 2.56).

She only wanted a bloody autograph John.

Watch the interviews here

It's a Long Way to the Summit for this lot.

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. This morning we see the start of the long road to Telford for the lower ranked players when six matches get underway in the UK qualifiers.

The matches that begin this morning will be played to a conclusion tonight. With the winners, rather unnecessarily having to play again at 10am tomorrow.

This means that yours truly will be in for another busy evening tonight previewing these early Wednesday starters. No rest for the wicked I suppose.

If you missed the preview to the matches below and the other six which start tomorrow afternoon then you can read that here. Hopefully, we can get off to a winning start.

I’ll be out and about this morning but will update when I can. Please feel free to chat away in the comments section in my absence. The World Snooker scoreboard worked perfectly at the weekend and now looks in unstoppable form if you want to keep up with things in real time.

This afternoon sees a further four matches starting which will finish tomorrow afternoon.

Results:

Paul Davies 9-7 Patrick Einsle

Liam Highfield 9-7 Kuldesh Johal

Jamie Jones 9-4 Dermot McGlinchey

Andrew Pagett 9-2 Noppon Saengkham

Ben Woollaston 9-2 Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon

Liu Chuang 9-4 Igor Figueiredo

Continue Tomorrow

James Wattana 5-3 Kurt Maflin

David Gilbert 5-3 Issara Kachaiwong

Mark Joyce 5-3 Jak Jones

Xiao Guodong 7-1 Reanne Evans

A local tramp arrives in Sheffield.

Tomorrow sees the start of the UK Championship Qualifying matches from Sheffield. Sixteen players will win through to the televised stages in Telford which begins on the BBC on 4th December.

As ever, we start with the lowest ranked players working our way up to seeds 17-32. Though because of the changes to the ranking list a few of these are already showing signs that they might not have to start at this point for much longer. Jamie Jones, Jack Lisowski and Zhang Anda amongst those in action, the latter two up against each other.

I’ve previewed every match and where I feel it’s worth a bet I have recommended my idea of the winner. All bets will be to a one point stake unless otherwise stated and I won’t recommend anything too short. Where the players have met previously I have included this after the match up, but most of this lot haven’t faced each other before.

So, can any of these make Telford? It’s a long road but it has been done before. You can read my thoughts on who will qualify here including the enhanced Snookerbacker Acca price with Skybet, but here goes the first sixteen match ups.

Please note that the prices quoted are the best ones at time of writing, Sportingbet are yet to price this up so please check with them if they are offering better.

Anyone that wants to take advantage of introductory offers at Skybet click here or at Paddy Power click here.

Tuesday Starts:

Paul Davies v Patrick Einsle

Well what a cracker of a match to start off with. Not. Have you ever left a half eaten bowl of Weetabix (or equivalent supermarket brand wheat based breakfast cereal) in the washing up basin and tried to scrape it off later in the day? That’s Paul’s place on the tour that is. He has only entered 4 PTC’s over the summer, losing in the first round of all of them. Young(ish) German Patrick has hardly set the world alight either and loses a lot more than he wins it has to be said. Lowly rankings reflect the relative calibre of this encounter, but Pat is still starting out so I’m going to side with him, he should be more match fit and probably the readier of the two and at 6/4 with Paddy Power is worth an interest.

Liam Highfield v Kuldesh Johal

Highfield has been flagged by some as one for the notebook and indeed a semi final spot in the EPTC4 confirms his promise. If he is to trouble bigger and better players he should win this in a canter. The 2/5 at Paddy Power should be taken, but it’s too short to recommend as a single.

Jones: Flying.

Jamie Jones v Dermot McGlinchey

Welshman Jones has been working hard and rattling a few cages over the summer and is climbing the rankings, he’s the type of player that Bazza likes. He has beaten the likes of The Captain, Mark Allen, Peter Ebdon and Martin Gould over the summer and will be buoyed by the fact he has reached the PTC Grand Finals. It would be a major shock and a setback to Jamie’s progress if Dermot were to notch a rare win here. Jones is 1/4 at Paddy Power if you are interested.

Andrew Pagett v Noppon Saengkham

Noppon is finding his first professional year a bit of a learning curve. He has beaten Michael White and Luca Brecel in PTC events but that is the extent of his winning record. Pagett is a win one/lose one kind of player but has beaten better players than our Noppy in the past, I’ll side with the Welshman but not with a great deal of confidence. He’s 5/6 at Skybet.

Ben Woollaston v Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon

This is a tough one to call (and to say). Woollaston is the more experienced of the two but hotshot Thanawatshisname has made a few people sit up and take note over the summer, the 16 year old notching up a competitive 147 in one of the PTC’s. I’m going to side with TT to turn over the higher ranked Woolly. Let’s face it we all want him to get through to see how Dennis and co. cope with the verbals and also to hear how many unoriginal and borderline racist jokes they might come up with.

Recommended: Thanawat Thirapaipongboon to shake shake shake the room (Current best price 5/4 Skybet)

Liu: Always Cracking Gags.

Igor Figueiredo v Lui Chuang (1-0: 3-2 in the World Open)

Igor attempts to become the first Brasilian German to beat a Chinese player in the UK Championship qualifiers and once again rewrite the history books of this niche nationality. But Stephen Hendry lookalike and part time comic Chuang has a string of top 32 player scalps on his CV. I’d like Igor to win as he seems like a good bloke, but I think it will be a tough match for him and I’d marginally favour the Chinese prankster who is 4/7 at Paddy Power.

James Wattana v Kurt Maflin

Norwegian Kurt is another that hit a maximum earlier in the season and takes on the veteran Thai-phoon Wattana. I think James’ experience may tell here, he had a cracking season last year and came very close to a return to the Crucible. I get the feeling he will be giving this his full attention, having only flirted with the PTC’s. Maffers will have to up his game to stop the middle pocket wizard here.

Recommended: James Wattana (Current Best Price 1/2 Skybet)

David Gilbert v Issara Kachaiwong (1-0: 4-2 in 2007 Grand Prix)

Another Thai player that has been gaining valuable experience in the PTC’s over the summer and winning a good few matches along the way, Kachaiwong narrowly lost to Peter Ebdon in the latest event having made finals day. Dave ‘The Cueman from Tamworth’ Gilbert was on a marathon losing streak until he beat Jamie Cope a couple of weeks ago but then promptly lost again. He’s too good a player to be starting at this stage but it’s results that count and he can’t buy them at the moment. I’m going to plump for another win for Thailand here to compound Davy’s current misery, sorry Dave.

Recommended: Issara Kachaiwong (Current Best Price 8/13 Skybet)

Mark Joyce v Jak Jones

Joyce is way ahead of Jones in the provisional rankings, has more experience, wins more matches and is in better form. What could possibly go wrong?

Recommended: Mark Joyce (Current Best Pirce 8/15 Skybet)

Xiao Guodong v Reanne Evans

You have to feel for our Reanne. Given a token wildcard by Bazza only to lose her first 13 matches as a professional. She nearly broke the cycle by beating Neil Robertson on Saturday but alas fell at the final hurdle and continued her fruitless task. On top of that she comes up against a player that I consider to be one of the best competing at this stage. I get the feeling that the old Blackadder line ‘doing exactly what we’ve done 13 times before is exactly the last thing they’ll expect us to do this time’ might come into play here, sorry Reanne, I’m not sexist or any other ‘ist, but this guy is pretty good. In fact, how about an ‘Answers on a Postcard’ interview with Mrs SB over tea and scones?

For Multiple Punters

Tuesday Recommended Bet: I’ll go with a 3 point accumulator Guodong, Joyce, Highfield and Jamie Jones which pays 15/8 at Skybet.

Wednesday Starts

Wicheard: Keeps losing deciders.

Joe Delaney v Adam Wicheard

Wicheard has put in the odd good performance at the PTC events and has lost a startling number of final frame deciders in his first season as a professional, suggesting there may be better to come. Delaney has the experience but has been dipping in and out of the PTC’s and won’t be as match sharp as his opponent. But I’d still marginally favour Irish Joe, possibly given Adam’s record, in a decider. I don’t think the current odds at Paddy Power reflect how close this might be.

James McBain v Simon Bedford

It’s Scotland v England here and a fairly evenly matched affair at that. McBain made his TV debut in the World Open recently and will be all the better for the experience. Bedford can best be described as a journeyman at this point in his career and despite a few wins here and there hasn’t really done anything of any great note as yet. I’ll take McBain to win this one and continue his ascent up the ranking list.

Recommended: James McBain (4/7 Paddy Power)

Patrick Wallace v Jamie O’Neill (1-0: 4-2 in 2007 Grand Prix)

Jamie O’Neill has lost 12 of his last 13 matches and is just one place off the bottom of the provisional rankings. Paddy Wallace is a wily old character and has opponents like this for breakfast before moving on to a nice lunch with his Guinness. I can only see one outcome here.

Michael White v Justin Astley

Michael White has been busy plying his trade this summer and has risen to a respectable 70^th in the ranking list. The Welshman is another that several have suggested has a big future ahead of him, I don’t know about that but I do know that he should beat Rick’s lad Justin in this encounter. Astley has not had a great time since his return to the professional ranks after a four year gap and there is nothing to suggest he can win this. Maybe he should join Rick on an Eighties Nostalgia Tour?

Who'll win? Jack or Anda?

Jack Lisowski v Zhang Anda (1-0: 4-1 in PTC5)

The tie of the first round. Who would have believed that two grateful recipients of a Willie at the coveted awards ceremony last year must now thrash it out in a cubicle to proceed? Anyway, to carry on, Jack has made a semi final and a quarter final in the PTC’s and to me is the best new young professional out there. Along with Jamie Jones he has qualified to the Grand Finals, the only other player starting at this stage to do so. But we all know what Anda can do at these qualifying events, he proved that by reaching the Crucible and nearly beating Hendry in April. It’s a tight one to call this but I’m going with Jack, he’s going to make us a bundle one day, trust me.

Recommended: Jack Lisowski (8/13 Paddy Power)

Kyren Wilson v Paul Davison

I watched 19 year old Wilson on the live stream when he played Selby in Gloucester and I have to say I was quite impressed. Davison, who is twice his age and approaching veteran status appears to be having something of an Indian summer in his career, having made the TV stages of the World Open and a recent Quarter Final in the PTC’s. There are only four places between these two in the provisional rankings, it’s very tough to call and not one I’d bet on. I’d marginally favour Davison at 5/4 with Paddy Power but Wilson is one I think we might see more of in the future.

Tuesday/Wednesday Accumulator:

We will go with another 3 point accumulator on Guodong, Highfield, Jamie Jones, White and Wallace at a shade over 2/1 with Paddy Power.

The Hitman: He ain't no fairy.

Congratulations are due this morning to three top performers. Chris, who won the tenth Prediction Contest after also scooping Event 8 a couple of weeks ago. Deco800 whose consistent performances have resulted in him topping the Prediction Order of Merit over the Christmas and New Year period, thus being crowned ‘King of the Fairies 2010′ and finally, Michael Holt, who won a snooker tournament in Prague.

The final result of the weekend’s competition is listed below and to find out how you finished 2010 on the Order of Merit click here.

I’m putting the finishing touches to the first qualifying round preview for the UK which gets underway tomorrow morning and I’m hoping my efforts have not been wasted as there are still no firms pricing these matches up as far as I can see. Hopefully, they will get these up at some point this morning.

Can I take this opportunity to also say a massive Thank You to Betfred for providing £500 worth of free bets for these PTC events. Top Drawer. 

Event 10 final standings:

Players through to the PTC Finals are:  

1 Shaun Murphy
2 Mark Selby
3 Barry Pinches
4 Marcus Campbell
5 Judd Trump
6 Mark Williams
7 Dominic Dale
8 Stephen Lee
9 Tom Ford
10 Stephen Maguire
11 Michael Holt
12 Liang Wenbo
13 Martin Gould
14 Ricky Walden
15 Marco Fu
16 Anthony Hamilton
17 Stuart Bingham
18 Jamie Jones
19 Jack Lisowski
20 Andrew Higginson
21 Mark Davis
22 Matthew Stevens
23 Gerard Greene
24 Joe Jogia

John's sister Josephine. Remarkable family resemblance.

Champ: Holty

Final:

John Higgins 3-4 Michael  Holt

Semi Finals:

Michael Holt 4-3 Shaun Murphy

John Higgins 4-2 Joe Jogia

Prediction Latest:

Chris is once again a winner in the Tipster Contest. Congratulations are due to you sir, well done. But despite this triumph and the fact he is already at Number One in the Order of Merit he will not be King of the Fairies 2010…..step forward…oh you’ll have to wait to find out.

Last 8

Mark Selby 2-4 Michael Holt
Peter Ebdon 2-4 Shaun Murphy
Joe Jogia 4-2 Matthew Stevens
Stuart Bingham 1-4 John Higgins (anyone else having deja vu?)

Prediction Standings after Last 16:

Chris 137 frames, Nick 133 frames, Darren 127 frames, Deco800, Jan-Eric, Maryusg 124 frames.

Last 16

Mark Selby 4-3 Ricky Walden
Jamie Cope 2-4 Michael Holt
Issara Kachaiwong 3-4 Peter Ebdon
Shaun Murphy 4-2 Ken Doherty
Michael White 3-4 Joe Jogia
Matthew Stevens 4-0 Barry Hawkins
Stuart Bingham 4-1 Ryan Day
Mark Allen 1-4 John Higgins (morning selections down the pan!)

Prediction Contest Latest

Another quality performance from Order of Merit leader Chris who is in front after Day 2 with 121 frames. He is clearly intent on holding on to top spot and being crowned King of the Fairies 2010. But as you can see, this is by no means guaranteed:

1. Chris 121

2. Nick 120

3. Maryusg 114

4. Deco800 113

5. Darren 111