Betfred Masters predictions: betting preview, free snooker tips & TV details

Free snooker tips, predictions, best bets and analysis for the Betfred Masters in Milton Keynes on Tuesday.

Where to watch

BBC2/BBC iPlayer & Eurosport 1, 1pm & 7pm Tuesday

Best bets

Yan Bingtao +3.5 frames v Neil Robertson
1pt 4-7 Betfair, Paddy Power

Mark Selby -1.5 frames v Stephen Maguire
1pt 6-10 BoyleSports

Day three preview

Neil Robertson enjoyed a trip to Norway during the Christmas break but while the Australian is playing some of the best snooker in the world this season, he will do well to freeze out his Betfred Masters first-round opponent Yan Bingtao on Tuesday afternoon.

Robertson edged out Judd Trump last month to be crowned Betway UK champion and it's no surprise to see him as one of the market leaders to lift the UK's premier invitational event in Milton Keynes, especially after Judd Trump's non-participation due to a positive Covid-19 test.

But while the Melbourne ace will probably have enough to progress to the quarter-finals, he would do well to win three-quarters of the frames played against improving Yan and punters should have no quibbles about taking the outsider with a start of 3.5 frames.

Even though Yan upset Robertson 6-1 in the 2019 Betway UK Championship, odds of 4-9, which are being offered by some oddsmakers about the talented 20-year-old winning at least three frames are on the short side. However, a price of 4-7 looks fair enough.

Three-time champion Mark Selby begins his tilt to win a first Masters crown since 2013 and that's a long time for someone of the Jester's ability.

Final triumphs in this tournament over Ronnie O'Sullivan and Robertson show that Selby is a competitor whose chance should be taken seriously and the Leicester ace gets the chance to prove that in his curtain-raiser against Stephen Maguire.

Scotsman Maguire remains a capable performer, but one who is still prone to underachievement. An upset can't be ruled out - their personal series is close with Selby shading the honours 15-14 - but losses last month to the promising Pang Junxu and Zak Surety don't augur well for the Glaswegian.

Selby is odds-on to successfully concede a start of a frame-and-a-half and that could be the way to go.

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