Thursday's Betfred World Championship betting preview, tips & TV details

Day six
BBC & Eurosport, from 1pm Thursday

S Murphy v N Robertson 1pm
It’s up to the best of 25 frames for the Betfred World Championship second-round matches and while many thought that Neil Robertson would coast into the quarter and semi-finals, the Australian’s tournament effectively starts at the last-16 stage.

No disrespect to Michael Geor­giou, who won only one frame against Robertson in round one, but a date with a fresh and firing Shaun Murphy is a big step up in class for the Melbourne native.

The odds tell you it’s a hurdle that Robertson is likely to overcome. But even though the Thunder from Down Under has won almost two-thirds of their meetings, there have been enough swings of supremacy in their personal series – witness their 2015 Masters final clash which Murphy won 10-2 – not to take things for granted.

That said, Robbo should have enough in his armoury to triumph. He’s a more complete player now than at any time in his career and he has achieved plenty more since lifting the world title in 2010.

Murphy, a forgotten man before the Crucible, when he was quoted at 66-1 for the title, made mincemeat of talented youngster Luo Honghao in a 10-0 battering.

But the 2005 Crucible king may not have enough decent perform­ances under his belt this season to afford him the self-belief he probably needs to upset Robbo.

Murphy is seldom short on self-confidence, but now it’s the first to 13 there will be no hiding place for the Magician.

The outsider could make Robbo work hard for victory, however. Favourite-backers can support their charge to successfully concede a handicap start of 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 or 4.5 frames.

A total frames bet could also be contemplated, but the accept­able range there requires the loser to win at least eight frames. That’s far from certain to happen, especially if Robertson kicks on.

There’s a fascinating difference of opinion in the bookies’ camps too. BoyleSports reckon Murphy, now resident in Ireland, can cause Robertson serious problems, but Ladbrokes and Coral can’t see it and fully expect the favourite to silence his opponent.

Robertson giving up 2.5 is an option at 7-10, but Murphy is such a clever player that it may pay to get another frame on Robbo’s side and go with the 1.5 at lesser odds.

Recommendation
N Robertson -1.5 frames
1pt 1-2 BoyleSports

M Selby v G Wilson 7pm
Mark Selby has a 100 per cent record against Gary Wilson and it would take a brave punter to oppose the three-time world champion in this match.

Selby has won all five of their matches and the margin of supremacy increased in their most recent meetings, with the Jester triumphing 10-2 in the 2015 China Open final – when Wilson was a 500-1 shot contest­ing his first big final – and 4-0 in an English Open clash in 2016.

Geordie potter Wilson performed with credit in that Beijing title- decider, when breaks of 101 and 91 got him on the board.

He’s more street­wise on the baize these days, but probably not enough to help him thwart the former world number one from Leicester.

It’s difficult to accurately gauge Selby’s form, though, so it may pay to have a break bet instead of a frame or handicap one.

Wilson looks as if he performs better against top players – he made a couple of century breaks in a 10-7 first-round loss to Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Crucible two years ago – and so it could be worth backing the outsider to post at least one ton.

Recommendation
G Wilson over 0.5 centuries
1pt 4-7 Betfair, Paddy Power

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