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Shaun Murphy v Mark Allen: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen meet in the first semi-final of The Masters on Saturday afternoon and both players have shown fine form in reaching the final four.

The pair have produced some scintillating snooker at the Ally Pally and, of course, that’s no surprise from Allen these days.

The 2018 Masters hero regularly shows he’s a fully-paid-up member of the green-baize top bracket and the Northern Ireland ace has done little wrong in 6-2 wins over Si Jiahui and Mark Selby.

Slightly more of a surprise is Murphy progressing to the last four, but the Magician is always capable of making the business end of any tournament he enters and was in delightful form in his 6-2 quarter-final win over Neil Robertson.

However, it has been 10 years since Murphy joined the select band of players who have won all three of snooker’s major tournaments - the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters.

The only surprise is that he has failed to add another victory in any of those events in the last decade.

Shaun Murphy v Mark Allen

Shaun Murphy v Mark Allen betting tips and predictions

Shaun Murphy +1.5 frames match handicap - 8/13

Murphy leads Allen 15-9 in the pair’s personal series, although the Pistol has won their two most recent encounters to narrow the gap on his more experienced opponent.

So, it’s no surprise to see Allen, who was shorter in the pre-tournament outright betting, made favourite to progress to the final, although the match betting is close, with the oddsmakers clearly being well aware that Murphy has won 15 of their 24 past rumbles.

Both players were in fine scoring form in outings leading up to this clash - Murphy has posted nine breaks of 50 or higher in his victories over Gary Wilson and Robertson, while Allen compiled a total of seven in ousting Si and Selby.

It might pay not to overrate the form of Murphy’s 6-2 victory over Robertson because the Thunder from Down Under is still very much a work in progress as he bids to fight back from a lengthy slump.

Murphy will have been aware of the opportunity that facing Robertson presented with and the Magician deserves credit for taking full advantage of his draw.

But the acid test for the 2005 world champion will come against Allen, who has been ranked world number one in his career - that honour came his way last year.

Murphy, however, could only rise as high as third in the world in the years that followed his Crucible triumph.

The Englishman has shown in the past and indeed on more recent occasions that he remains capable of taking his game to another level.

Lowering Allen’s colours is still likely to prove a difficult task, but Murphy looks to be playing well enough to warrant support with a handicap start of 1.5 frames.

Over 9.5 frames - 10/11

Murphy looks capable of taking his County Antrim-based opponent close, so punters are pointed towards the match lasting for over 9.5 frames.

There is an option to get involved with betting on century breaks and individual player breaks, but many of the prices quoted about, say, at least two tons being compiled in the match and either player making at least one three-figure visit, look roughly correct.

So, in essence, we are betting on Murphy reproducing the standards he posted in his two previous outings and, with both players perfectly capable of emerging victorious in the first of the semis, Allen will also be required to produce his expected level too.

Happily for punters, though, the Pistol has been achieving greater consistency in important matches in recent seasons.

Read more snooker betting tips and predictions on site

Shaun Murphy v Mark Allen odds

Shaun Murphy - 11/10
Mark Allen -
8/11

View the full market and more odds for Shaun Murphy v Mark Allen on site

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.

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