Promising youngster Xu Si looks capable of rocking the MOD

First-round matches start 2.30pm Tuesday

Martin O'Donnell has done well to cement his place on the main tour but he could be a shade overrated for his Betway UK Championship first-round clash with exciting Chinese prospect Xu Si.

O'Donnell looks too short to win the clash and secure a last-64 berth, but the best way to support promising outsider Xu may be on the total-frames handicaps with a start of 2.5.

The MOD has an engine and has been showing it with runs to the last eight of two important Chinese tournaments this season.

• Betway UK Championship tournament preview

Coral and Ladbrokes fancy their chance of getting Xu beaten on the handicap, but the 20-year-old Jieyang cueman is arguably a more progressive performer than O'Donnell and so the chance can be taken.

Punters can consider supporting three-time UK finalist Ken Doherty in his opener against Yuan Sijun, but the Dubliner has not been at his best in the first half of the season and the Chinese teenager looks a fine prospect.

Recommendation
Xu Si +2.5 frames
1pt 10-11 Coral, Ladbrokes

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