World Championship Snooker: In-Play semi-final tips

Snooker / Mike Norman / 29 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Ding Junhui holds a narrow 9-7 lead over young Judd Trump

"Both players are more than capable of this and their latter sessions should see both relaxing a bit more and playing their natural high-scoring game."

Alex Lee has got himself into a great position in both semi-finals, but not content with settling for what he's got our expert has come up with some more wagers for you to consider.

With Ding Junhui easing into a 9-7 lead against young pretender Judd Trump, the Chinaman is justifying his pre-match tip and hopefully you'll have all traded out by now. Furthermore, Mark Williams got off to a roaring start against John Higgins, winning the first session 5-3, so the tip to lay Higgins with a view to trading out was a simple no-lose bet too.

The hard part now, of course, is picking a tournament winner, which I'll reserve judgement on for the time being (cough... Williams). While both semi-finals are still in progress, the clever money has to be on the two current leaders Williams and Ding to reach the final, although I expect Higgins to battle back more strongly than Trump. For this reason a little Dutching of 17-16 ([11.0]), 17-15 ([10.0]) and 17-14 ([10.0])* to Williams could be the way forward as it covers a trio of outcomes and offers a very palatable percentage payout.

As far as the Trump/Ding match is concerned, a wise move could be to back the Highest Break (Score) over 128.5 which is currently priced @ [2.44]. Both players are more than capable of this and their latter sessions should see both relaxing a bit more and playing their natural high-scoring game.

At the time of writing, Williams had just constructed a graceful century break in frame 13 and the expression Higgins had on his face was that of a beaten man. While the Scotsman has enormous reserves of mental strength, this match looks out of his reach already due to Williams' free-flowing snooker.

Recommended Bets

Back Highest Break (Score) over 128.5 @ [2.44] in the Trump/Ding game
Dutch Williams 17-16 @ [11.0], 17-15 @ [10.0] and 17-14 @ [10.0] v Higgins

*Prices correct at conclusion of second session with Williams leading 9-7

So far the focus has been on picking the best bets from the individual matches, but there's a tournament to be won when all is said and done. With the quarter-finals well under way, there are two outstanding candidates, says...

Alex Lee believes Allen can give Williams the game of his life in the clash of the Marks, while Judd Trump will beat Graeme Dott....

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FA Cup Result: City end United's treble dream with semi-final win

FA Cup / Maxliu / 16 April 2011 / 1 Comments

Yaya Toure celebrates his winning goal

"City are now [1.46] favourites to win the FA Cup."

Delight for City as they reach FA Cup final, United crash and Scholes sees red at Wembley...

There will be no repeat of Manchester United's 1999 treble after local rivals City beat them 1-0 in a fiery FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

City touched [5.7] before YaYa Toure scored the decisive goal shortly after half-time. The goal came about when Michael Carrick lost his concentration for a moment and gifted the ball to the Ivorian on the edge of the penalty area. Toure powered into the box before slipping his shot past Edwin Van der Sar.

United created scant opportunities to get back into it, coming closest when Nani's dipping was free-kick tipped on to the bar by the excellent Joe Hart. Dimitar Berbatov missed two brilliant chances in the first half - one as Hart saved his shot superbly and seconds later as the Bulgarian managed to scoop the ball over a gaping goal when to score would probably have been easier.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men's fate was all but sealed when Paul Scholes was sent off midway through the second period. The United midfielder can have few complaints about receiving a red card for his high, late tackle on Pablo Zabaleta.

City's fans looked anxious when five minutes of added time was announced. United have staged a few late comebacks this season but this was one deficit too far for the Reds. As for the Blues, they are now [1.46] favourites to win the FA Cup.

Two Premier League grafters go head-to-head in the second FA Cup semi-final, and Mike Norman believes it will be an entertaining affair that could go either way. Best Bet: Back Both teams to Score @ [1.9]....

The two big stars are missing but there should be plenty of needle here in a match which the Manchester of the United variety should end up winning. Keep an eye on that "to be shown card" market though because...

Javier Hernandez upfront by himself or alongside Dimitar Berbatov? Gareth Barry in the middle...or Barry on the bench? Michael Cox ponders some of the big questions and give us his best bets ahead of this mouth-watering tie....

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