Friday November 29th 2024
Barry Hawkins V Shaun Murphy 13:00
Both players have spent over 20 years on tour and won multiple ranking events, they know what it takes to make the latter stages of Triple Crown events.
It's an intriguing match-up between two of the most well-respected players in the game. Murphy defeated Hawkins in the semi-final on route to his sole World Championship title in 2015.
To get to this stage, Hawkins showed his quality and has seen off challenges from defending Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and David Gilbert.
Murphy has come through 2 final frame deciders against both Zhao Xintong and Ding Junhui and there is the feeling today's match may go in that direction too.
Hawkins reached the semi-final here in 2021 and he will no doubt have his sights set on making the last 4 again this year.
There's very little to separate the pair and the result will come down to fine margins, we are siding with Murphy to come through a very closely fought contest.
Prediction: 6-5 Murphy
Judd Trump V Zhang Anda 13:00
Both players came through their last 16 ties following final-frame deciders. They were both hugely impressive however, for different reasons.
Trump made a break of 106 in the decider following an intense, tactical battle with John Higgins while Anda roared back from 5-1 down to defeat Stuart Bingham.
Understandably, the players will come into today's match brimming with confidence but will feel they both need to up their game if they are to go further in this year's UK Championship.
World number 1 Trump leads 5-3 on head-to-head but it is Anda who has the most recent victory between the pair, winning 5-3 at last years Scottish Open.
Having reached the semi-final of this event last year, Trump will no doubt want to go at least one step further. Anda has never been past the quarter-final in York and faces an uphill task of changing that stat this year.
For experience alone, I feel Trump will hold the edge on his Chinese opponent today and progress to the final four.
Prediction: 6-3 Trump
Michael Holt V Kyren Wilson 19:00
Michael Holt's fairytale run undoutedly faces it's biggest test tonight. Reigning World Champion Kyren Wilson has been very clinical so far in coming through against Stephen Maguire (6-0) and Chris Wakelin (6-2).
While Holt recovered from 5-2 down to come through a final frame decider with Jak Jones last night.
It looked likely that we were going to get a repeat of this year's World Championship Final until qualifier Holt began to take over with three breaks of 50+ in the final frames to close out a historic win.
Tonight's match is a free hit for the 46 year-old with all the expectation on his opponent. That mentality will be dangerous and Wilson will need to be at top of his game but the form he has shown this year, I feel will be too strong tonight.
Prediction: 6-1 Wilson
Jack Lisowski V Mark Allen 19:00
A repeat of the UK Championship semi-final in 2022 which the Northern Irishman came out on top in a deciding frame victory.
Lisowski has produced some of the best snooker this week in victories over Mark Selby & Ali Carter. Has he finally found the formula to land his first title?
He has been known to be criticised for his tactical play when matches get scrappy but showed at times during his 2 victories that he can now mix it with the best.
His opponent tonight Mark Allen had an eye-catching 6-4 victory over Wu Yize in round 2. If he plays like he did from 4-2 down, there is very few in the world that will compete with him.
Considering that form, I think he will have too much for Lisowski tonight.
Prediction: 6-2 Allen
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