Ryan Day could push Judd Trump close in Belfast

Quarter-finals
Quest & Eurosport, from midday Friday

Three of snooker's biggest stars have made it through to the Northern Ireland Open quarter-finals with Mark Selby, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump all strong favourites to continue their bids for the title in Belfast.

Selby is first up at midday against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh but the best betting heat comes in the following match, which is scheduled to start at no earlier than 2pm, when Trump takes on Ryan Day.

This could be closer than the odds suggests and a bet on over 7.5 frames appeals in the best-of-nine contest.

Those who like their recent head-to-head form can point to Day's 4-2 success in last month's English Open and the Welshman is a talented performer who would have achieved greater things in the sport had he been stronger in close finishes.

Trump's showboating skills were highlighted in his win over Jack Lisowski and he followed that with a 4-2 success over Luca Brecel but the superb potter has not managed to turn his quarter-final outings into tournament wins this season.

It's long odds-on that O'Sullivan's match with David Gilbert will take less time to produce a result than Peter Ebdon v Eden Sharav in the evening matches.

Gilbert is in good nick but has lost all five matches against the Rocket, who heads the outright tournament betting.

Recommendation
R Day v J Trump over 7.5 frames
1pt 5-6 Paddy Power

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