World champion Mark Williams may have to dig deep

Day three
ITV4, 1pm & 7pm Wednesday

Judd Trump has won five of his previous six meetings with Luca Brecel comfortably and that explains why the Bristolian is a short price to open well against the Belgian in round one of the Champion of Champions.

The problem for punters, however, is that Trump, who numbers 4-1, 4-0, 5-0, 3-1 and 4-0 triumphs over Brecel, tasted his only defeat to his opponent in a 4-0 thrashing in this tournament last year.

That Coventry loss, in which Brecel outscored Trump by 385-62 on points, should be a huge warning sign for punters.

World champion Mark Williams is a slight favourite for his lunch­time starter against Kyren Wilson.

Expectations will be high for Williams, as they should be given his performance in lifting his third Crucible crown in May, and it's a boost for the Welshman's hopes that Wilson was below par in a 6-2 defeat to Yuan SiJun in China last week.

However, the Kettering cueman has won his last three meetings with Williams – Wilson leads their personal series 4-3 – and with a potentially close encounter on the cards it could pay to back the clash to last for six or more frames.

Recommendation
M Williams v K Wilson over 5.5 frames
1pt 4-6 Hills

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