Thursday's Players Championship predictions and snooker betting tips

Free snooker tips, best bets and analysis for Thursday's matches in the Players Championship in Wolverhampton.

Where to watch

ITV4, 1pm & 7pm Thursday

Best bet

Neil Robertson to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 7pm
1pt 11-10 Betfred

Thursday's quarter-final matches

Ronnie O'Sullivan blew away Judd Trump in the opening round of the Players Championship thanks to a barrage of big breaks but the Rocket may have to settle for being second-best in his quarter-final encounter with Neil Robertson.

Although Ronnie made knocks of 127, 99 and 90 in his 6-3 triumph over Trump, that performance alone doesn't mean he should be chalked up as favourite against Robertson.

Over the course of the last few seasons, it is the Australian who has been the more consistent performer and has, therefore, tasted success on a more frequent basis.

The Aussie ace has won three of his last four meetings with the Rocket, which includes a victory at this stage – and over this best-of-11 format – on his way to securing a second Masters crown in the middle of January.

O'Sullivan is capable of beating any opponent on his day but there are more mistakes creeping into his game and he is difficult to trust at odds-on against a cueman of Robertson's calibre.

Robbo defied Covid fatigue to beat Kyren Wilson in the first round, making breaks of 114, 100 and 94, and three days of rest since that opening test should see him even sharper.

Barry Hawkins and Yan Bingtao kickstart Thursday’s proceedings and the Chinese sensation's scoring prowess – he had three centuries in his 6-4 win over Dave Gilbert last time out – rightly sees him rated as favourite to progress.

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