Lei Peifan v Wu Yize: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The Land of the Rising Sun has long since been established as a snooker hotbed and now, for the second time in three months, a ranking final will be contested by two Chinese players, Lei Peifan and Wu Yize.

As well as presenting a big day for Chinese snooker at the Scottish Open decider in Edinburgh, the duo are striking a blow for snooker's next generation.

The pair are both 21 years of age and their combined age makes this the youngest title match in a ranking final since Paul Hunter (19) beat John Higgins (22) in the 1998 Welsh Open final.

Lei Peifan v Wu Yize betting tips and predictions

Wu Yize -2.5 Frames – 1/1

Mark Allen once more found himself burning the midnight oil on Saturday night and, again, it was The Pistol that was shot down amid late night semi-final drama.

The Antrim ace led Lei 5-2 and had the match at his mercy until missing a routine pink that handed his opponent, Lei Peifan, a lifeline.

The 21-year-old grabbed it, claiming four frames on the bounce to seal an epic fightback win as Allen was left deflated just a couple of weeks on from going down in the early hours to Barry Hawkins at the UK Championship.

The seasoned Hawkins managed to rally on the Sunday after his late night heroics but ultimately came up short against Judd Trump in a quality title match in York.

Lei, appearing in his first ever ranking final, has a much more difficult challenge ahead to get himself ready for this final.

Wu meanwhile battled past compatriot Xiao Guodong 6-4 in the first semi-final. Rookie of the Year in 2022, he beat the likes of Trump, Ali Carter and Stuart Bingham en route to the English Open decider earlier in the season.

He faced Neil Robertson and was all but defeated in the first session, trailing 7-1, but he rallied dramatically in the evening and got back to 8-7 behind before the Aussie closed out the match when aided by an outrageous fluke.

Wu's experience in Brentwood should stand to him in Edinburgh and, with his opponent likely feeling some fatigue after his late night on Saturday, the favourite can beat the handicap of 2.5 frames en route to claiming the Stephen Hendry Trophy.

Wu Yize – Race To 3 Frames – 4/7

The finalists know each other well but this will be their first meeting. Lei admitted to feeling the nerves in his semi-final against Allen.

"I was nervous and didn't know how to adjust myself. It was only one table and there were so many people watching," he said.

That's more than reasonable given the world number 84 is experiencing all of this for the first time.

He has shown steeliness this week. Since beating Hossein Vafaei in the opening round of the venue stages, Lei has incredibly won four deciding-frame thrillers in a row.

Wu made that dreadful start against Robertson in the English Open and will be all out to avoid something similar here, while Lei must overcome the late night and the occasion of his first ranking final in the early knockings.

Wu is 4/9 to win the best-of-17 final but 4/7 for him to be first to three frames is more tempting as he should settle into this contest quicker with his experiences already this season.

Read more snooker betting tips and predictions on site.

Lei Peifan v Wu Yize odds

Lei Peifan – 7/4
Wu Yize – 4/9

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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.