Betfred World Snooker Championship 2019: day two match tips, odds and betting

TV: BBC & Eurosport, from 10am Sunday

John Higgins v Mark Davis 10am

John Higgins has reached successive Betfred World Championship finals but the Scot needs to respond to the iconic surroundings to make it three after a disappointing campaign.

Higgins, who has finished runner-up at the Crucible in each of last two years, has had his worst season on tour since 2014 with his only final appearance coming in September's China Championship.

If it clicks for Higgins, at a venue he clearly saves his best for, then Mark Davis shouldn't get close to him but the underdog looks capable of at least pushing the four-time champion.

Davis had to come through three gruelling qualifiers to end his three-year absence from the Crucible and, at 46, has rediscovered his best form.

The veteran made the final of the English Open and he was operating at a similar level in qualifying, particularly in his 10-4 win over Fergal O'Brien where he mustered breaks of 109, 102, 97, 84 and 81.

Davis beat Higgins 10-6 in the opening round of the Sheffield showpiece in 2013 and although a repeat triumph may be beyond him, he is performing well enough to keep the scoreline close.

Recommendation
M Davis +3.5 frames on handicap
2pts 8-11 Betfred, Sky Bet

Shaun Murphy v Luo Honghao 2.30pm

Luo Honghao overcame three tricky tests in qualifying to book his ticket to the Crucible and the talented teenager can rise to the occasion and make life tough for Shaun Murphy.

The Chinese youngster toppled experienced trio Marco Fu, Robbie Williams and Tom Ford to secure his Crucible debut and it's difficult to fault his temperament.

Mixing it with seasoned professionals such as Fu, a world number five as recently as June 2017, is the perfect preparation for Honghao and he should have few fears against Murphy, who has struggled to find any consistency this season.

The 2005 world champion was runner-up at the Scottish Open in December but has done little else of note, with first-round defeats at the Masters and the World Grand Prix among his lows.

Early exits in Wales, India and Gibraltar have followed and Murphy, although suited by the longer format, is difficult to trust at short prices.

However, this is Honghao's debut season as a professional and his first taste of the Crucible, so backing a long match may be the smart option.

Recommendation
Over 16.5 frames
1pt 21-20 Hills

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