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 Wednesday.

Where to watch

BBC2, BBC iPlayer & Eurosport 1, 1pm & 7pm Wednesday

Best bets

Ronnie O'Sullivan (-2.5 frames) to beat Ding Junhui
2pts 11-8 Paddy Power

Mark Allen to beat John Higgins
2pts 11-10 Paddy Power

Preview

Seven-times Masters champion Ronnie O'Sullivan enters the fray on Wednesday afternoon to face another former winner in Ding Junhui.

World champion O'Sullivan declined his invitation to this prestigious tournament 12 months ago, but returns this time and looks a huge contender for the title.

His first assignment is a tricky one, but the 45-year-old faces an opponent he boasts a tremendous record against.

The Rocket leads their head-to-head battle 16-5 and has beaten the 2011 Masters champion in their last three meetings.

There have been signs of a revival from Ding this season and he has reached four quarter-finals in the seven events he has entered.

He is a player to keep an eye on this year, but O'Sullivan has his number and can cruise to a comfortable win.

John Higgins is another multiple Masters winner in action on Wednesday and the 1999 and 2006 winner faces 2018 champion Mark Allen in the evening match.

Higgins lines up in his 27th Masters, but has been knocked out in the first round 13 times and, for a player of his calibre, he has a dreadful record in this event.

The players have met at the Masters four times and Allen has won on all four occasions.

The Pistol was sensational when winning the Champion of Champions event in November, beating O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Neil Robertson on his way to the title.

He can once again get the better of 45-year-old Higgins, who is not the force of old.

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