Judd Trump v Ding Junhui: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Judd Trump has been in fantastic form this season, winning two titles, while Ding Junhui collected the International Championship crown on Sunday.

The in-form duo will have had high hopes for a big run at the Champions of Champions, but the draw has set-up a mouth-watering first-round tie and one top potter will exit the Bolton event at the earliest hurdle.

Judd Trump v Ding Junhui: betting tips and predictions

Ding Junhui to win – 13/8

In one way, Ding has enjoyed the perfect preparation for a crack at the Champions of Champions but, in another, it could also represent a big ask for the Chinese Sensation.

The Yixing cueman only secured his place in the Bolton event when winning the International Championship on Sunday and there is no doubt that the 37-year-old has returned to something like his peak form.

On the other hand, Ding was involved in a tense final battle with Chris Wakelin until late on Sunday afternoon and the 19-time ranking winner had to make the return trip from China on a quick turnaround for Wednesday afternoon’s clash with Trump.

It’s difficult to weigh up Ding’s good form against the demanding schedule, but, at 13/8, there is enough juice in the price to back the Chinese Sensation. 

Ding downed Martin O’Donnell, Reanne Evans, Hossein Vafaei, Jiang Jun, Kyren Wilson, Xu Si and Wakelin on the way to glory in China last week and that success can be upgraded further. 

The Chinese Sensation lost only 21 of the 70 frames he contested in Nanjing, in what was a dominant tournament success which included a victory over the current world champion. 

It’s also worth considering that the Yixing cueman had to perform under a huge amount of pressure in China, with a home crowd and expectant nation willing Ding to succeed. 

The fact that the 37-year-old was able to deliver in such compressive fashion suggests that Ding’s game is certainly near its peak and that could spell trouble for Trump. 

Of course, that’s only one tournament victory and Trump has been far more frequent winner in recent seasons, but Ding is a 19-time ranking event winner, a three-time UK champion, a Masters king and a World Championship finalist. 

There is certainly no doubting the class of the Chinese Sensation and last week’s International Championship success may have marked the return of the 37-year-old as a major force in the sport.

Ding Junhui exactly one century – 21/10

It’s a short best-of-seven-frame format in the first-round of the Champion of Champions, meaning there is limited time to make century runs in Bolton. 

However, Ding was in excellent break-building touch in the International Championship last week and the Chinese Sensation can be backed to make exactly one century break against Trump. 

The 37-year-old hit seven ton-plus knocks in 70 International Championship frames last week and while that number would leave the Yixing cueman with a little to find on Wednesday, it is worth considering that the humid and heavy conditions in China aren’t always conducive to big breaks. 

There were plenty of one-visit victories in frames from Ding on his way to victory in Nanjing and that suggests that the Chinese Sensation is in the form to knock in a ton run against the Ace.

The short format will make it difficult to get past one century break and offers of 21/10 about Ding making exactly one century look worth taking.

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Judd Trump v Ding Junhui odds

Judd Trump - 1/2
Ding Junhui - 13/8

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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.