Wu Yize v Neil Robertson: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Partner Authors Updated: 22 Sep 24 08:07

Neil Robertson won the English Open in 2021 and is playing in his third final, but is likely to face a real battle as Wu Yize attempts to land his maiden ranking crown at the first attempt.

Robertson thrashed Chris Wakelin 6-1 to make the final of a ranking event for the first time in over two years and will be eager to take this chance after some really mixed form in that intervening period since his 2022 Tour Championship win.

Wu, who turns 21 in October, built on his last-eight win over Judd Trump by defeating Ishpreet Singh Chadha 6-0 in his semi-final.

Wu Yize v Neil Robertson

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Wu Yize v Neil Robertson betting tips and predictions

Wu Yize to win - 12/5

Robertson is an overwhelming favourite at 1/3 to claim his second English Open title and, on the face of it, that may look fair given his 20-year-old opponent is walking out into his first ever ranking tournament decider.

The Chinese talent has been closing in on this for some time, however, and is well placed to win.

The 2021/22 Rookie of the Year made his Crucible debut that season, where Robertson dismissed him in round one, but he could take a measure of revenge now.

His quarter final win over Trump should fill the youngster with confidence. World number one Trump had won all of their first three meetings, including coming from 4-0 down in Saudi Arabia recently to win 5-4, but this time Wu held on to claim a 5-3 victory.

He put away Singh Chadha in a semi-final whitewash, the latter perhaps jaded after outlasting Mark Selby in a 6-5 win the previous night.

Trump suggested after the quarters that Wu 'has been knocking on the door for a while', while the man himself told World Snooker that it would be a 'new beginning to win the title'.

It's just over a year since Wu beat Robertson 5-3 at the European Masters and, while he trails the head-to-head 2-1, he knows he has what it takes. He looks an appealing price to upset Robertson.

Wu Yize Match Centuries - One @ 15/8

Wu's best tally of centuries came in 2022/23 when he hit 15 and he's on track to better that with seven already in the early knockings of this campaign.

Three of those have come this week already and he is averaging one ton-plus contribution every 12.67 frames during this event. That would stand him in decent stead to make at least one in this final, but any more than that may be asking plenty.

He will need to be clinical in his scoring if he's going to tumble Robertson, but it's still a big ask to see him firing in multiple centuries. Taking him for exactly one in the final is a fair shout.

Total Frames Over 13.5 @ 4/9

It's a race to nine in Brentwood, with a possible 17 frames across the two sessions. Given the way Wu has been playing, at worst he seems likely to keep Robertson honest.

The Thunder has been much more focused this season compared to last, something he has admitted, while the 23-time ranking tournament winner has talked of his improved safety play this season.

He's unlikely to get outclassed, but given the esteem in which Yize is held by the likes of Trump and Robertson - the latter suggested he had a 'mega future ahead' after their Crucible date in 2023 - he is also unlikely to fold tamely.

The losing finalist should at least manage to put five frames on the board, taking the match total over 13.5.