The European Masters takes centre stage this week at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, where defending champion Mark Selby will be hoping he can put a disappointing season behind him.
The Jester from Leicester defeated Martin Gould 9-8 in the final to scoop this prize when it was last staged in September of 2020 and he is 13/2 to regain his crown.
However, Selby is without silverware since winning his fourth World Championship title in May and only once in eight ranking event appearances this season has he gone beyond the third round.
Tough Season for Selby
Selby’s levels have dipped so much this season that he finds himself 17th on the one-year ranking list, hence he missed out on a place in the recent Players Championship.
Such is the quality of Selby, he can never be ruled out, but he does have to come through a qualifier against the capable Matthew Selt before reaching the main draw.
The early best-of-nine format also makes him more vulnerable than usual, although he could have landed in a tougher quarter of the draw with Luca Brecel, Ryan Day and Zhou Yuelong his most formidable obstacles early on.
The world number one is 21/10 to come through the first quarter and make just his second semi-final of the season.
If there is to be a surprise in that section of the draw, then it could be Day, who made the quarter-finals of the recent German Masters and surely has a last 16 spot at his mercy. He is 11/2 to reach the semi-finals and 40/1 to be crowned champion.
Second Quarter Packed With Quality
Neil Robertson, Kyren Wilson, Yan Bingtao, Barry Hawkins and David Gilbert are just some of the names involved in a star-studded second quarter of the draw, which makes it a tricky punting heat.
Robertson is the form man after his recent wins at The Masters and the Players Championship but his difficult draw means there will be plenty of tough tests from the get-go.
A great match played in great spirit. Over the moon to win and no doubt Barry will get his hands on one again soon! Crowds were amazing all week and the atmosphere in the final was awesome
pic.twitter.com/TRdYplXSK8
— Neil Robertson (@nr147) February 13, 2022
He may have his backers at 4/1 but there is definitely better value to be had in what is a trappy section, with Wilson worthy of consideration at 14/1.
The Warrior is ultra-consistent and is the world number five for a reason, so can’t be ruled out with an opening game against Jamie Jones followed by Aaron Hill or Fan Zhengyi.
It would therefore be disappointing if he failed to make the last 16 and he is more than capable of beating Bingtao and Robertson if required.
Old Foes Ronnie and Higgins Could Renew Rivalry
The third quarter in the European Masters is also an intriguing heat, with Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins on course to crash in the quarter-final.
O’Sullivan is 9/2 for the title and 13/10 to make the semi-finals, but Higgins’ recent record against the Rocket suggests he may be the man to beat.
The Wizard of Wishaw has won his and Ronnie’s last four meetings and could take some stopping with a decent draw to work. The Scot is worthy of consideration at 8/1, particularly considering he has made five finals already this season.
Trump With a Point to Prove
Selby’s form is concerning but the same can be said for Judd Trump, who has not won a title since landing the Gibraltar Open in 2021.
Trump lost 6-3 to O’Sullivan in the first round of the Players Championship and he was also thrashed 5-1 by Xhao Xintong in the second round of the German Masters.
Given Trump’s recent results, he has to be opposed at 15/4 and that means he is vulnerable in the fourth quarter. Ricky Walden, who is 11/2 to make the last four, and 7/1 shot Shaun Murphy would be worth considering in that market.
*All odds correct at time of writing.