Judd Trump v Jak Jones: Prediction, Tips, Odds and Start Time

The blockbuster Judd Trump versus Ronnie O’Sullivan World Championship semi-final is becoming increasingly likely, but the Ace in the Pack should not be expecting an easy ride against quarter-final opponent Jak Jones.

Trump has barely been tested at this year’s World Championship, having eased past Hossein Vafaei 10-5 before recording a 13-7 win over Tom Ford, but Jones should offer sterner resistance.

Having made the quarter-final on his Crucible debut last season, the Welshman showed that was no fluke by repeating the trick this season with wins over Zhang Anda and Si Jiahui.

Jones also had to come through two qualifiers against Zhou Yuelong and Jamie Clarke, so is feeling sharp and extremely confident, all of which should stand him in good stead for this massive test.

Judd Trump v Jak Jones betting tips and predictions

Jak Jones +5.5 frames on the handicap - 5/6

Trump is going to be all the rage for this quarter-final and it would be some surprise was he to crash out against a player competing at the Crucible for only the second time and who is some 42 places lower in the world rankings.

However, he also shouldn’t be expecting an easy time of things as Jones has an excellent temperament and is an extremely solid all-round player.

The Welshman will have learned plenty from last season’s run to the quarter-final, where he was far from disgraced in a 13-10 defeat to Mark Allen. That came on the back of upsets against Ali Carter and Neil Robertson.

That should allow him to settle quickly and this season’s efforts against Zhang and Si - who was a semi-finalist last year - show him to be in pretty good shape.

Jones has not been blowing his opponents off the table with his heavy scoring, but he has been capitalising on their mistakes, regularly producing a counter-clearance to steal frames from losing positions.

If keeping his composure then Jones has every chance of keeping close tabs on Trump, who hasn’t needed to be at his best to reach the final eight.

Trump offered plenty of chances to Vafaei and Ford, but they were overawed by the occasion, whereas Jones has shown that he produces his best stuff under pressure and at the Crucible.

So, while Trump should advance to the final four, it is unlikely to be a stroll in the park for him and backing Jones with +5.5-frame head start should reap the rewards.

Under 0.5 centuries for Jak Jones - 6/5

Despite having won 23 frames to reach the quarter-final, Jones is yet to register a century, with his highest break being the 78 he produced in his 13-9 win over Si in the previous round.

Jones’ highest break in his 10-4 win over Zhang was only 75 and it is likely to be another solid rather than spectacular performance that keeps him competitive against Trump.

The Welshman had only one century across his two qualifying wins over Clarke and Zhou, so odds-against on him not having a century could make plenty of appeal.

Trump, who had two centuries in his recent win over Ford, is 4/11 to have the highest break and it is easy to see why.

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Judd Trump v Jak Jones odds

Judd Trump - 1/10
Jak Jones - 6/1

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Judd Trump v Jak Jones start time

The quarter-final is played over a best-of-25, the same case as in round two, which means potentially three sessions of action.

The contest gets underway at 10:00 on Tuesday 30th April, with the players returning at 19:00 for the second session. If a third session is required, it will begin at 10:00 on Wednesday 1st May.

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.