Ronnie O'Sullivan v Pang Junxu: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Ronnie O’Sullivan overcame lengthy inactivity to record a 10-4 victory over Ali Carter in his World Snooker Championship opener and the draw appears to be opening up for the seven-time world champion.

The Rocket arrived for the Sheffield showpiece having been out of competitive action since January but, after a shaky start, reeled off the final five frames to outclass Carter in a 10-4 triumph.

O’Sullivan enjoyed breaks of 131, 123, 117 and 107 in that victory over the Captain and the early exits of Kyren Wilson, Neil Robertson and Mark Selby has opened up the top half of the draw.

The 49-year-old is now 11/4 to claim an eighth world title, but it would be dangerous to completely underestimate talented youngster Pang.

The Chinese cueman impressed in a 10-7 win over Zhang Anda in round one, having two centuries and showing a maturity beyond his tender years.

This is the first time that Pang has gone past round one at the Crucible, so a best-of-25 format is uncharted territory for him, but O’Sullivan still has well-being to prove following his three-month layoff.

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Pang Junxu betting tips and predictions

Pang Junxu +4.5 frames on handicap - Evs

Freshness could end up being a positive for O’Sullivan but there would be tougher tests to come and it is still possible that his three-month break to start the year tells the deeper he goes into the competition.

Having not been seen in competitive action since the Championship League in January, the Rocket returned in style with his 10-4 demolition of Carter.

However, that is a rivalry that was grabbing the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the build-up given their on-going feud.

O’Sullivan would have been bang up for that one encounter and he may find that Pang is a tougher obstacle to pass.

The 25-year-old from China is a player firmly on the upgrade and he plays with a fearless nature, something which should ensure that he isn’t overawed by this occasion.

These two met on Pang’s Crucible debut two years ago and he was far from disgraced in a 10-7 defeat, shaping like he could have plenty of golden days in front of him.

Pang has since celebrated a success over the Rocket, beating him 6-4 at the International Championship in November, and he showed some strong form in his 10-7 victory over compatriot Anda in round one.

The world number 27 scored heavily when given the opportunity and he can keep things respectable in his rematch with Ronnie, with a 4.5-frame headstart on the handicap making plenty of punting appeal.

Pang is a two-time ranking event semi-finalist and, while upsetting the seven-time champion may be a tall order, he can at least get nine frames on the board.

Pang Junxu to have the highest break - 5/4

O’Sullivan had four centuries to Pang's two in round one, but it may be worth chancing that the Chinese cueman posts the highest break in their last-16 rivalry.

These two players have met five times during their careers and Pang has had the highest break in three of those encounters, one of which came in a 10-7 defeat at the World Championship two years ago when he displayed his composure with a knock of 133.

When these two locked horns at the International Championship in November, breaks of 123, 120, 85 and 73 inspired Pang to a 6-4 success and that highlights his scoring potential.

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Ronnie O'Sullivan v Pang Junxu odds

Ronnie O'Sullivan - 1/7
Pang Junxu - 9/2

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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.