Champion of Champions 2021

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This gets underway today. It's a shame that the defending champion (Mark Allen) has pulled out but I think that's largely due to his issue with Childcare and his Mrs and bankrupcy and purely not playing because it means somebody else gets the money but that could be pure speculation. Who knows?

It's a shame because Allen does well in this event. Another man that does well here is Neil Robertson. Just coming back from winning the English Open, he comes into this with ranking points to protect after making the final last year. He also won it the year previous and I think he looks the prime candidate to continue his form. He would be my choice from the top half of the draw. The price isn't pretty but I'll take him on a single instead of an each-way play.

In the bottom half, I'll take a punt on Shaun Murphy. Since winning this in 2017, Shaun hasn't really performed in it but maybe that will be drive him on here with nothing to fear in losing any ranking points. He faces Yan Bingtao in round 1 of whom he has a good head-to-head record against and then he would face Gilbert or Selby. Selby has a decent record against Shaun but Selby never seems to perform very well in this event (semi-final the best he has made, last year).

Higgins was tempting me but his price is far too small for a guy that is likely to be very tired right now. Higgins may be able to take care of Ronnie in the other Quarter Final though to pave the way for somebody else.

4pts N.Robertson to win Champion Of Champions 11/2 bet365
1.5pts e.w S. Murphy to win Champion Of Champions 18/1 paddypower

 

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4pts Selby to beat Gilbert & Murphy to beat Bingtao 7/4 paddypower
2pts Ronnie to beat Bingham and Higgins to beat Ding and both to hit the most centuries in their matches 5/1 paddypower