Liang is capable of keeping tabs on top dog Selby

Day three
ITV4, 1pm & 7pm Wednesday

Mark Selby once again showed how far ahead of the field he is when taking the title in the International Championship on Sunday, but while backing the world number one blindly would result in a decent profit he obviously cannot win everything.

Selby's preparation for the 188Bet Champion of Champions – he has travelled back from Daqing in the last day or so – has not been ideal and Liang Wenbo, his first-round opponent in Coventry on Wednesday, is a pretty competitive performer.

The Jester from Leicester is not always a runaway victor against top-quality rivals, so it may pay punters to back the clash to last more than 5.5 frames.

In the day's other first-round clash, Judd Trump would seem to hold the aces for his date with Luca Brecel.

The Belgian is playing well and the West Country ace will need to respect his opponent, who claimed his first main-tour title in the China Championship in August, but of the pair Trump can be more deadly when he is in the mood.

Recommendation
Over 5.5 frames M Selby v Liang Wenbo
1pt 8-11 Coral, Hills

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