Judd Trump v Luca Brecel predictions: Tour Championship quarter-final

Free snooker tips, predictions, best bets and analysis for Thursday's Tour Championship quarter-final between Judd Trump v Luca Brecel.

Where to watch

ITV4, 1pm Thursday

Best bet

Judd Trump -2.5 frames on handicap
2pts 8-11 Hills

Match preview

The signs suggest the tide has turned for Judd Trump with the World Championship on the horizon and the Juddernaut can showcase his Crucible credentials with a convincing Tour Championship quarter-final victory over Luca Brecel.

Trump was way below his best in Gibraltar last week, losing 4-0 to Ricky Walden in the last 16, but a Turkish Masters title and a runner-up effort at the Welsh Open before that showed him to be in good heart.

The world number three started the season slowly but has hit form at the right time, losing only two of his last 18 matches, and this longer best-of-19 format is going to play to his strengths.

Brecel is making his Tour Championship debut and is fifth seed courtesy of his run to the UK Championship final and a win at the Scottish Open.

However, that early-season form appears to have deserted him and, if you discount the Snooker Shoot Out, then he has won only six of 12 matches in 2022.

The Belgian is extremely talented but those results highlight his inconsistency.

Expect Trump, who will be eyeing a second world title in Sheffield next month, to punish Brecel’s mistakes and cover a start of 2.5 frames on the handicap.

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