English Open snooker predictions: Robertson primed to retain his crown

Free snooker tips, best bets and analysis for the English Open which starts tomorrow.

Where to watch

Eurosport 1, 1pm Monday

Best bets

Neil Robertson to win the English Open
3pts 9-2 general

Kyren Wilson to win the English Open
1pt 18-1 Betfred

Jack Lisowski to win the English Open
1pt 22-1 general

Tournament preview

Last week’s Scottish Open delivered the shock of the season as Gary Wilson got the better of Joe O'Connor in an unforeseeable final, but the English Open has a habit of going to one of snooker’s elite and this year should prove no different.

Wilson and O’Connor were both available at three-figure prices pre-tournament and, while the early best-of-seven format lends itself to an upset, two surprises in a row looks unlikely.

In the last five years Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson have all won the English Open title and it is defending champion Robertson who appeals as most likely to succeed again this year.

Robertson was stunned by O’Connor in the semi-final of the Scottish Open, but he overcame Selby, Anthony McGill and Joe Perry prior to that.

Even so, it was evident that the Australian ace was edging closer to his peak performance, and nine centuries across the week supports that feeling.

Not only did Robbo win this tournament last year, but he was runner-up to Trump in 2020 and six titles in just over a year suggests it shouldn’t be long until he is adding to his trophy cabinet.

Being defending champion means he is tournament top seed, and there are few concerns with his held-over qualifier against Andrew Pagett. From there, Lei Peifan and Elliott Slessor look like being his next two opponents, so a last-16 berth is his for the taking.

With a decent draw and being in excellent nick, Robertson is a worthy favourite to defend his crown.

The biggest dangers may stem from Kyren Wilson or Jack Lisowski, two players who have also hinted that silverware is on the horizon.

A trophy is surely looming for the attack-minded Lisowski, who was defeated in the semi-final of the UK Championship and was undone by the draw in the recent Scottish Open, when he was beaten by Mark Selby in the last 16 after being forced to play two matches in one day.

Wilson, the world number seven, made the last 16 of the UK Championship before reaching the quarter-final of the Scottish Open, suggesting he’s also ready to claim a sixth ranking title.

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