Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Ding Junhui
13th January 1300hrs
Snooker – England – Masters
Pick O’Sullivan – 2.5 handicap
Bookmaker Betfred
Odds: 6/5 odds taken 22:13 GMT Tuesday, 12th January
Ronnie O’Sullivan is the front runner now for the Masters 2021 after having seen the previous favourite Neil Roberston shockingly fell at the first hurdle.
O’Sullivan, the all-time leader in Masters titles, meets Ding Junhui in the first round, hoping to avoid an upset.
As we have now seen in the last couple of years of Masters action, first-round upsets are nothing uncommon.
Table of Contents
Ronnie O’Sullivan Preview – Can “The Rocket” progress in the Masters draw?
Ronnie O’Sullivan is the second seed at this year’s Masters Snooker and he was running as second-favourite pre-tournament.
That was to Neil Robertson, but the Australian lost his first round match to Yan Bingtao in a huge upset.
So it’s Ronnie who takes over at the head of the outright winner market in Masters snooker betting now.
But first things first, he has to safely get through his own opening match.
A win for Ronnie O’Sullivan over Ding Junhui is a current quote of 2/5* (odds recorded 22:13 GMT Tuesday, 12th January).
Ronnie O’Sullivan has won the Masters seven times before, the most titles of all players in the history of the event.
He is bringing some pretty shape into the event with him as well with some good performances in the recent Home Nations events.
He reached the final of both the Northern Ireland Open and the Scottish Open.
Then in his last action before the masters, ran to the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix.
Really the only thing missing from O’Sullivan’s season is a title. They have all eluded him so far, but that recent form suggests that he is knocking on the door.
He is a proven performer at the Masters.
In the correct score market for snooker betting a Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-3 result is at a quote of 9/2* (odds recorded 22:13 GMT Tuesday, 12th January).
The winner of this match will go forward to face either John Higgins or Mark Allen in the quarter finals.
O’Sullivan has won his last three matches against Ding.
Ding Junhui Preview – Can Ding turn the tables on “The Rocket”
So it is a three-match losing streak that Ding Junhui is on against Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The most recent that they had was in the 2020 Scottish Open, with O’Sullivan winning a deciding frame in that contest.
Ding Junhui is the 11th seed at this year’s Masters and he is a quote of 2/1 to win this match* (odds recorded 22:13 GMT Tuesday, 12th January).
In three of his six ranking tournaments this season, Ding has made it to the quarter finals, his best finishes anywhere.
He was also a losing quarter finalist at the 2020 Champion of Championship tournament.
So he hasn’t really been at the business end of things much this season.
His recent Masters form really isn’t up to scratch either.
Ding Junhui has made a first round exit in all but two of his last nine Masters appearances.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Ding Junhui was a first round faller in last year’s edition, but he is a former Masters champion.
He won the title back in 2011 and he has had some good Masters duels with O’Sullivan before.
They have met five times before in Masters action and Ding has lost each of those matches.
The most recent one was 6-3 loss to “The Rocket” in 2019.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has won 40 of the 61 frames contested between the two players in Masters meetings.
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Ding Junhui Betting Advice
The head to head record fully points to O’Sullivan coming out on top in this meeting.
He has won the last three meetings in any tournament against Ding Junhui and he has a perfect five for five against him in Masters meetings.
The O’Sullivan 6-3 correct score looks a good option for snooker betting here at 9/2* (odds recorded 22:13 GMT Tuesday, 12th January).
Key Facts – Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Ding Junhui Betting Tip
- Ronnie O’Sullivan has won all 5 previous Masters matches against Ding
- Ronnie O’Sullivan has won the Masters 7 times before in his career
- Ding Junhui has lost in the first round in 7 of his last 9 Masters appearances
Ding’s record in the first round of the Masters is not particularly good. He’s been past that stage only twice since winning the title in 2011.
So we are going all in one O’Sullivan getting the match win. With Roberston having fallen already from the competition, there’s a big opportunity for O’Sullivan to make a run for that 8th Masters title.
An O’Sullivan -2.5 handicap is offering a little something at 6/5* (odds recorded 22:13 GMT Tuesday, 12th January).
The best betting odds for Ronnie O’Sullivan vs Ding Junhui
Ronnie O’Sullivan to win: 2/5 at Bet365
Ding Junhui to win: 2/1 at Bet365
