Champion of Champions semi-finals tips as Allen faces Rocket, Ding battles Higgins
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Champion of Champions semi-finals tips
After a dramatic Champion of Champions campaign so far, the Coventry based invitational event now has just four players left standing ahead of the semi-finals clashes at the Ricoh Arena.
Tournament favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan has never lost a match in this event, so will look to continue that impressive run when facing off with Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen. Meanwhile, Chinese superstar Ding Junhui will take on John Higgins in the other final four face-off.
So, ahead of the latest baize battles, Coral outline Champion of Champions semi-finals tips for punters to enjoy for the snooker action.
O’Sullivan to lead Allen 3-1 after four frames
Both O’Sullivan and Allen have two wins over each other in their previous four meetings, with the Rocket having prevailed in their last match-up earlier this year.
Rocket Ronnie is a five-time world champion and took an early lead in that last encounter and he can be backed at a promising 15/8 to take a 3-1 advantage after four frames played in their first session.
9.5 frames to occur in Rocket-Allen match
The Pistol Allen has looked impressive so far at the Ricoh Arena, toppling both Joe Perry and reigning world champion Mark Selby, but his run looks set to end at the hands of O’Sullivan.
In what could be a close contest, you can back there to be 9.5 frames (10 or over) in this intriguing match-up at 13/10.
Rocket to beat Allen 6-4
With O’Sullivan having already secured a fixture victory over his Northern Irish opponent at the European Masters in the past few months, he will be confident of earning another coup here.
The all-time snooker great is yet to lose at the Champion of Champions, winning in 2013 and 2014 then not entering last season. He can therefore be backed at a tasty 11/2 to win 6-4 this time around, with the last two meetings having ended in two-frame successes.
Ding to topple Higgins 6-4
Veteran Scot Higgins may enter this semi-finals match-up in the better form in recent weeks, but it’s China cueist Ding that boasts a dominant head-to-head record of 11 wins to seven. This includes victories in their last five successive meetings since 2013.
The Far East potter is therefore a promising 13-2 to overcome Higgins with a 4-2 result, having recorded that same scoreline to beat 2015 world champion Stuart Bingham last time out.
Over 9.5 frames to feature in clash
With this meeting also set to be a close affair, punters can back there to be over 9.5 frames played during proceedings at a tasty evens.
Both Ding and Higgins played out 10 frames in their previous respective Champion of Champions clashes, both earning 6-4 successes in Coventry.
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