Grand Prix Snooker Betting Day 8: Home favourite Higgins can deliver again

Snooker / Paul Krishnamurty / 10 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

John Higgins will take some stopping given the kind of form he's in and the fact he's on home soil.

"Perhaps because the event is being played in Scotland, with all the home support that implies, the 'Wizard of Wishaw' looks like he means business this week and will take the world of beating from here."

Paul Krishnamurty picks the best bet from today's action in Scotland.

Yesterday's strategy of taking on John Higgins never looked like bearing fruit, as the world champ looked in particularly good touch whilst demolishing Mark Allen 5-1. It would be easy to criticise Allen's inferiority in the safety exchanges, but there is probably no player in the world who can better Higgins in that department. Moreover, besides an occasional dip of focus when holding a commanding lead, Higgins took his chances with ruthless efficiency.

I'm surprised therefore to see Higgins at a bigger price against Neil Robertson in the semi-final than he was for the previous round. For my money, there's very little to choose between Robbo and Allen, and I wouldn't read too much into the Aussie's presence in these latter stages because his opponents so far have failed to really test him. Sure, Robertson is a fine break builder when in the balls, but all three previous opponents this week have had plenty of chances yet failed to capitalise.

Perhaps because the event is being played in Scotland, with all the home support that implies, the 'Wizard of Wishaw' looks like he means business this week and will take the world of beating from here. My view is he will dominate the safety exchanges against Robertson, and run out a comfortable winner. [1.94] giving away 1.5 frames looks a solid bet.

Selection

John Higgins @ [1.94] (-1.5 frames)