The European Masters qualifiers continue at Preston’s Guild Hall on Friday and the afternoon session features some big-name players looking to make progress. Amongst them are former World Championship winners Stuart Bingham and Graeme Dott, while two-time Crucible finalist Ali Carter brings some good form to the Guild Hall. Carter bagged himself a silver medal in China last week at the World Games, losing out in the final to fellow top-16 ranked Kyren Wilson. ‘The Captain’ should be in full flight and is match sharp, so he will be confident of overcoming 34-year-old Chinese player Mei Xi Wen, ranked 70th in the world.
Carter was in good break-building form last week in China, so he might prove worth backing to knock in a century in this best-of-seven tussle. The 2015 World Champion Bingham may, in some ways, be relieved to start a new season. Having realised his Crucible dream in becoming champion, last season was a testing one. His best effort came at the World Grand Prix in Llandudno when he lost a nip and tuck battle with Shaun Murphy 10-9 in the final. Bingham then endured the Crucible curse, as Carter inflicted a deciding frame defeat on him in the opening match of his World Championship defence. Bingham also encounters Chinese opposition in Tian Pengfei. An experienced but inconsistent performer, he counts victories over Ronnie O’Sullivan at the China Open (2010) and Paul Hunter Classic (2015) amongst his best efforts but has struggled over the course of the last two seasons.
Bingham can advance at odds of 1/4 in this one. Finally, the gritty Scot Dott is expected to come through against Craig Steadman. The 35-year-old Englishman dropped off the World Snooker tour after a disappointing 2015/16 season but has come back through the Q-School since. He faces a dogged opponent in 2006 Crucible king Dott who, while not at that level these days, remains resolute and determined as ever and can justify his tag as 1/3 favourite to win this qualifier. Wins for Dott, Bingham and Carter in Preston should reward at odds of approximately 4/5.
European Masters Qualifying prices available at Dafabet.com.