UK Championship Tips: Snooker Last 16 Betting Picks Thursday 4th Dec
We’re ticking along nicely in York as the second round of the UK Championship continues inside the historic Barbican.
Big-hitters Ronnie O’Sullivan, Kyren Wilson and Mark Allen might have fallen early, but this is shaping up to be one of the most competitive fields in years.
Let’s take a look at some of the best betting tips for Thursday.
UK Snooker Championship Tips
Tip 1: Ding Junhui vs Scott Donaldson – Over 2.5 centuries
Racking up two century breaks en route to a 6-4 win over Xu Si in the opening round, Ding Junhui heads into the last 16 as one of the players that has already found their form in York.
The three-time winner of this event won’t have any nerves heading into a second round contest with Scott Donaldson, a player that was punch perfect in knocking out Mark Allen 6-1 in one of the shocks of the first round.
Both players are looking good and confident already this week, and with a maximum of 11 frames to be played between them, at least three centuries isn’t the worst look at 11/4 with bet365.
Tip 2: Zhao Xintong -2.5 handicap vs Zhang Anda
Zhao Xintong has the ability to dominate snooker for the next few years.
The reigning world champion, and UK Championship king from 2021 got off to the perfect start thrashing Long Zehuang 6-1 in his opening match, and should be able to use this momentum against another fellow Chinese player Zhang Anda.
Anda is no stranger to the business-end of tournaments having reached three finals across the 2023-24 season, but having slipped to number 23 in the world has been struggling in the biggest events over the past 18 months.
Xintong has the ability to race away from his opponent when he’s got the lead, and a -2.5 handicap against Anda shouldn’t stop him from getting over the line on Thursday.
Tip 3: Elliot Slessor to beat Barry Hawkins
Elliot Slessor doesn’t look that far away from challenging for a major ranking title.
The 31-year-old has rocketed up to number 21 in the world rankings, and has impressed with a semi-final run at the Saudi Arabia Masters and a quarter-final berth at the English Open this season.
Barry Hawkins is as experienced as they come.
He reached the final here last year, losing 10-8 to Judd Trump, but could fall early here if Slessor turns up from the opening frame.
We fancy the underdog at 11/8 here.
Lewis Watson returns to Free Bets with more coverage from York throughout the week - be sure to check back regularly for his latest tips and selections!
