German Masters Snooker Betting Preview: One player to back from each quarter

Paul Krishnamurty
25 January 2022

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Judd Trump is bidding for his third straight German Masters and the 'Ace in the Pack' is among Paul Krishnamurty's quartet of selections. Catch all the action on Betfair Live Video...

"Try an each-way punt on Liam Highfield at 70/1. He's looked a progressive type over the past year or so, without going deep in tournaments. This draw...looks his best opportunity to date."

Events come thick and fast at this time of year, with the next ranking event starting on Wednesday. We're already down to the last-32 stage of the German Masters - the first two rounds were played last autumn, taking plenty of seeded casualties.

Golden draw for hat-trick seeking Trump

I reckon running through this draw, making my selections, took less time than ever. Not just because the field is smaller but because the standout bet is staring us in the face. Backing Judd Trump in second-order ranking events like this has been a goldmine for the past three seasons. He's won this one twice in a row and the draw offers a golden opportunity for the hat-trick.

Trump has a bye in the first round, following the withdrawal of Gao Yang. His last-16 opponent will be a capable player, in either Anthony McGill or Zhou Yuelong, but one whom he's only ever lost once in seven attempts, or never in three. It could get harder after that but that depends on the more dangerous potential opponents coming through much harder sections.

Plus critically, he's entitled to be hungry, having only won one event so far this term. I think he's playing well enough, if only at peak level once, at the Champion of Champions.

Compared to his usual 4/1 in a seven round event, involving tougher paths, 11/4 is an absolute steal.

Tough path for Robbo

The ten unit stake on Trump means only smaller can be afforded in the other sections, but that is no problem as his biggest rivals don't really appeal. Of course Masters champion Neil Robertson warrants massive respect, but he could well face five tough opponents, starting with Ricky Walden.

Kyren Wilson is the other big gun in the second section but, given the proximity to Trump, I must abandon the player I most love to throw money away backing. He's been really disappointing in their recent encounters, having once seemingly had the game and confidence to beat him.

Wilson has a tricky starter anyway, against Jimmy Robertson. The 35 year-old has looked a different player since saving his card, and hasn't done too much wrong since reaching the British Open semis. He's unluckily bumped into Trump (twice) and O'Sullivan, and been squeezed out in deciders by McGill and David Gilbert. Whoever wins their last-32 starts a very strong favourite in the last-16.

Allen should contend but try Highfield instead

Quarter three looks for all the world to be Mark Allen's to lose. Shaun Murphy is struggling with fitness, injury and form. His capable first round opponent Kurt Maflin has also been troubled for some time.

However Allen isn't all that trustworthy against lesser opposition and doesn't appeal at single-figure odds. Nor, whilst I could easily make a case for him after a decent week at the Shootout, does Liang Wenbo at 25/1.

Instead, try an each-way punt on Liam Highfield at 70/1. He's looked a progressive type over the past year or so, without going deep in tournaments. This draw, starting out against rank outsider Fan Zhengyi before facing either Wenbo or Andrew Higginson, looks his best opportunity to date.

Saengkham capable of big run

The bottom quarter contains three frontline contenders (at least on their best form), but only one can reach the quarter-finals. Mark Selby is easy to oppose on recent form, while Yan Bingtao and David Gilbert face-off in the last-32 for the right to beat him.

I'm happy to let that trio cut each other's throats while one of my favourite 'yet to win types' is a confident pick to take the other quarter-final spot.

Noppon Saengkham has yet to return a penny for this outright column. He will. Keep the faith.

Follow Paul on Twitter @paulmotty

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