George wood
“title =” Barry Hawkins may overtake Shaun Murphy “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2022/01/08/103051- medium .jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2022/01/08/103051-medium.jpeg “data-br-m =” https: // www .rp-assets.com / images / news / 2022/01/08/103051-large.jpeg “data-br-w =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2022/01 / 08/103051-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2022/01/08/103051-large.jpeg “onclick =” return false; “>
Free snooker tips, top bets and analysis for Monday’s Masters first round matches at Alexandra Palace.
Where to look
BBC & Eurosport, 1 p.m. & 7 p.m. on Mondays
Best bet
Barry hawkins
2pts 11-10 bet365, BoyleSports
Match previews
There’s a crunchy first-round Masters contest on Monday night (7 p.m.) between Shaun Murphy and Barry Hawkins, and supporting the Hawk to melt could be the game.
It’s been a pretty lean period for the Kent cueman but capacity remains and Hawkins may have played a little better than his recent results suggest.
Admittedly, a run to the UK Championship semifinals last month was a good sign, and although a World Grand Prix first round loss followed, it came against top potter Mark Selby and things didn’t turn out like Hawkins. in this contest.
The Hawk have a recent and decent record in this event, having made a quarter-final, semi-final and final in their last five visits to Alexandra Palace and there are currently major question marks over Murphy.
The magician failed even to qualify for the World Grand Prix last month and before that he had been beaten in the first round of the Scottish Open.
Murphy is past the second round in just one of the seven events he’s been on this season, and although the 2005 world champion has a lot of class, his attacking game can fall apart if things don’t go well. At 11-10, Hawkins must be the game.
John Higgins faces recent UK Championship winner Zhao Xintong and the Scotsman has a 4-7 chance of qualifying. The pair faced off in the final 32 in York and it was Xintong who won on the way to the title. The Chinese cueman is 6-4 for another victory.
Don’t have a bet365 account? Bet £ 10 and get £ 50 in free bets
Account opening offer. Minimum deposit required. Free bets are paid out in the form of bet credits and can be used when settling bets at the value of the eligible deposit. Minimum odds, bet exclusions and payment method apply. Returns exclude the placing of bet credits. Deadlines / T & Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org
CLAIM OFFER HERE
MORE FREE BETS
Sign up for Racing Post Sport emails and get all the latest news and tips
The best sports betting stories today
Follow us on twitter @racingpostsport
FIRST PUBLISHED AT 12:00 PM, JANUARY 9, 2022
