Mark Allen v Zhao Xintong Tips

I think that the first frame could decide the way this match goes. The winner of that could go on to win. I have gone for Zhao to win that and go on to win 4-2.

Zhao faces a tough opponent. He must have had some major battles this season, and overall, he tends to come out on top. However, the margins are incredibly thin, so I think this will be another match that will go down to the deciding frame.

Allen and Xintong are competing for a spot in the quarterfinals of the Champion of Champions tournament. Allen recently lost 6-3 against Trump in the semifinals of the Northern Ireland Open. Allen has suffered four defeats in his last eight matches, including losses to weaker opponents such as Oliver Lines and Mitchell Mann. Xintong is ranked 10th in the world and has won five of his last six games, including victories against Si Jiahui and Mark Selby, two excellent players. He defeated Si Jiahui 6-1. I'll go 4-1 for the Chinese player.

I think this could go down to the final frame. Not really much between each player, who have won around 56% of their frames played this year and also have identical frame rates of breaks of 50 plus throughout the season. A competitive match won by Mark Allen 4-3 at odds of 5/1 is my prediction today.