World Snooker Championship day six predictions and snooker betting tips: Higgins going through the gears

Where to watch the World Snooker Championship

Live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer & TNT Sports, from 1pm Thursday

Best bets for day five of the World Snooker Championship

Chris Wakelin +3.5 frames on handicap vs Mark Allen
1pt 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power

John Higgins -2.5 frames on handicap vs Xiao Guodong
2pts 19-20 Hills

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World Snooker Championship predictions

Chris Wakelin vs Mark Allen predictions

Match starts 1pm

The early exits of defending champion Kyren Wilson and Australian ace Neil Robertson has left Mark Allen as the only remaining seed in the first quarter of the World Championship draw and the Pistol is 7-4 to make his third Crucible semi-final.

The Northern Irishman eased past Fan Zhengyi 10-6 in the opening round, but he has had an underwhelming season by his high standards and, despite making two centuries in round one, he still looked a long way short of his best.

Allen's second-round opponent Chris Wakelin has made the last 16 for the first time at the fourth attempt, but there was a lot to like in his 10-8 victory over Robertson.

Wakelin showed great character and discipline, having led 7-2 before Robertson clawed his way back, and his run to the International Championship final earlier this season is further evidence of why he is knocking on the door of the world’s top 16.

Allen may put his experience to good use over the extended best-of-25 format but Wakelin is more than solid enough to keep it competitive and it is unlikely to be one-way traffic.

John Higgins vs Xiao Guodong predictions

Match starts 7pm

Four-time world champion John Higgins has been rejuvenated this season and his pursuit of a fifth Crucible crown can gather pace with an authoritative last-16 victory over Xiao Guodong.

The Wizard of Wishaw warmed up for the world championship with victory at the Tour Championship, where he defeated Guodong, Barry Hawkins and Mark Selby to claim the title, and he maintained that impetus with a 10-7 success over Joe O’Connor in round one.

Higgins tore Guodong apart 10-3 in their recent meeting in Manchester and, having compiled breaks of 114 and 101 against O'Connor, he should outclass the Chinese cueman again.

The 49-year-old, who is back up to third in the world rankings, has lost only three of his last 20 matches and is a master over the long format.

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