Champion of Champions: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Mark Allen is back to defend the Champion of Champions crown he won 12 months ago and the Northern Irishman is one of a whole host of top potters with their eyes on the prize.

Four-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, an 11/2 chance in Bolton, remains snooker’s brightest star, and while the Chigwell cueman is yet to collect a major trophy this season, this is one event that is always on the Rocket’s radar. 

Judd Trump has landed two titles this season, winning the Saudi Arabia and Shanghai Masters, and the Ace has been in consistently brilliant form. 

The Bristol potter was beaten by Xu Si in the third-round of last week’s International Championship, but that marked the first time in 17 major events that Trump has failed to make at least the quarter-finals. That’s a pretty spectacular record and there is no surprise to see he is the 7/2 market leader in Bolton. 

World champion Kyren Wilson, a resurgent Neil Robertson and Mark Selby all look to have a chance in a field which also contains seniors world champion Igor Figueiredo and women’s world champion Bai Yulu.

The issue for Trump, Robertson and Wilson is that the trio of potters are all housed in the same half of the draw and they are joined by Mark Williams, Ali Carter and Ding Junhui, who took down the International Championship crown on Sunday. 

With all that in mind, the Racing Post’s Henry Hardwicke is on hand to provide his tips ahead of this week’s tournament in Bolton.

Champion of Champions betting tips and predictions

Mark Allen each-way - 11/2 

Reigning champion Mark Allen looks to have been handed a pretty kind draw at this year’s Champion of Champions and the Antrim ace could prove a cracking each-way bet in Bolton. 

The Pistol beat Scott Donaldson, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and Neil Robertson to capture the title in 2020, while victories over Chris Wakelin, Ding Junhui, John Higgins and then Trump in the final saw him win the invitational event for the second time last season.

It doesn’t come more difficult than having to down O’Sullivan, Trump and Robertson, and while there is potential for a semi-final tie against the Rocket this time around, Allen has what appears a more comfortable route to the last four. 

The 38-year-old gets his title defence underway against Brazil’s world seniors champion Igor Figueiredo, and while allowing the top veteran into the Champion of Champions field adds a layer of variety, it doesn't make for a competitive first-round match. 

Allen is a 1/12 shot to see off the 47-year-old in round one and that should allow the Pistol to cruise though to the group final, which is effectively a quarter-final against either Jak Jones or Gary Wilson. 

That looks a pretty kind path and Allen is more than capable of enjoying another strong showing at this year’s Champion of Champions.

Gary Wilson each-way - 18/1 

An each-way bet on Gary Wilson alongside Mark Allen at the Champion of Champions would certainly deliver a loser should the pair clash at the quarter-final stage, but it would also guarantee a semi-finalist and there is enough in the price to fire two bullets. 

The Tyneside Terror won two ranking events last season and he looked in good nick when beating Mark Selby on his way to the quarter-finals of last week’s International Championship. 

Wilson will take on Jak Jones, who booked his place in Bolton when reaching the final of the World Championship in April. That was an excellent run for the Welshman, but Jones has struggled to build on that effort this term. 

The Cwmbran cueman failed to qualify for the International Championship and prior to that he won only two matches on trips to the Northern Ireland and Wuhan Opens. 

Wilson should get past Jones in round one, which would set up a quarter-final clash with Allen and there is no reason to think the three-time ranking event winner and former World Championship semi-finalist can’t enjoy a big run at the Champion of Champions.

Read more snooker betting tips and predictions on site

Champion of Champions odds

Judd Trump - 7/2
Ronnie O'Sullivan - 11/2
Mark Allen - 11/2
Kyren Wilson - 6/1
Mark Selby - 7/1
Neil Robertson - 8/1
Mark Williams - 8/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.