Current world number and defending UK Championship titleist Judd Trump looks to be the man to beat. Trump had a tremendous run at last year’s Championship, as he beat out Ronnie O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Mark Allen. Trump is in pretty good form heading into this season’s event as he took a win in the International Championship back in October after finishing runner up in the Shanghai Masters. Trump also hammered John Higgins in the final of the Bulgarian Open, a Minor Ranking final. But Trump is just a man on fire and he will be the one to catch at this season’s UK Championship and the player that everyone else will want to avoid. That is why Trump is trading as very strong 7/2 favourite at SkyBet. Trump is naturally number one seed here and doesn’t have a bad half of the draw ahead of him. Fortunately, the main contenders to Trump’s title defence at the Barbican Centre, York are all down in the bottom half.
John Higgins’ form is likely to put the Scotsman closest to Trump. Higgins has been there or thereabouts at the business end of tournaments this season. Higgins is back up to world number three and will be eyeing up wrestling the top spot back from Trump come the end of the season. Higgins can churn out the consistent, defensive, percentage snooker that should see him go deep again. Higgins is a three time winner of the UK Championship, his last title coming back in 2010/11 season. Higgins got the better of Judd Trump in the Shanghai Masters in a tremendous battle, winning the deciding frame back in September. The tactical master could have a tricky path, because he would likely meet Mark Selby, Ding Junhui or Neil Robertson in the final.
Neil Robertson, Ding Junhui, Mark Selby and Mark Allen all look around the same mark, very evenly matched. What is fascinating is that they are all compressed into the bottom half of the draw, with Roberto, Junhui and Selby all in the same quarter. Former world champion Neil Robertson isn’t in the hottest form. The current Masters Champion looks to be just below his best, but he could be coming into some form. he took a run to the final of the International Championship where he lost to Judd Trump. That is the form he is capable of and hopefully that shows up. Mark Selby goes as second seed for the tournament and there could be a massive second round match against Ding Junhui to come for him.
A great outside shot may be Ricky Walden who is carrying some solid form. He took the Wuxi Classic title and after a couple of poor showings at the subsequent ranking tournaments, he went to the quarter finals at the International Championship.
There will be some great live in-running snooker betting for the UK Championship available at online bookmaker SkyBet. The bookie, recent winner of the eGaming Review Operator of the Year Award offers a free £10 bet for new customers registering an account, as they automatically credit new accounts with the free bet. Open an account before December 7th and new customers will be able to get a free £5 bet every week. Just place a £5 wager each week and you will get a free £5 back to enjoy.
UK Championship Snooker Betting Odds at online bookmaker Skybet
Judd Trump 7/2, John Higgins 7/1, Ding Junhui 10/1, Neil Robertson 13/2, Mark Selby 12/1, Mark Allen 12/1 Shaun Murphy 14/1, Stephen Maguire 16/1, Mark Williams 16/1, Stuart Bingham 22/1, Allister Carter 25/1
