Dave1962

In his post-match interview following his win against Judd Trump, John Higgins said that he is playing some of his best snooker in his long and illustrious career. He is the oldest player ever to reach a Triple Crown event final. The last time these two met, John Higgins won, and he will be looking to do so again.

The last time these two met in competition was over a much shorter number of frames. Higgins won that by two frames, and he'll need to do the same again to win another Masters crown.

Bottom of the table, Wolves welcome Newcastle, who are ninth. Newcastle have won their last three Premier League games and last season won this fixture.

Premiership side Aberdeen welcome Raith, who play in the Championship. The last four away games Raith have played have all ended in a draw, with neither side being able to find the back of the net. Against Premiership teams, Aberdeen have scored in seven of their last eight games. With that record, I expect Aberdeen to win.

Protektorat won this race last year. Following his seasonal return where he finished third at Cheltenham, he could once again win this race. With nearly a stone less on his back than at Cheltenham, he could be another winner for the Skeltons.

The Willie Mullins-trained Appreciate It is the elder statesman in this race and has to give weight to his four rivals. He is now a twelve-year-old and won this race last year. He looks to do so again following an encouraging season opener at this track where he finished second.

Special John receives weight from all but two of the runners as he takes a step up in grade. This year he has won his two races, both in Class Five company. In winning his last race the first three pulled sixteen lengths clear of the rest of the field. He is five pounds higher today, and with every chance he can take this step up in grade in his stride, taking him to complete a hat-trick of wins this season.

In all competitions, Aston Villa have won their last eleven home games. With Arsenal and Manchester City dropping points, a win for Villa would see them move second in the table, four points behind Arsenal. The last four times they have welcomed Everton in a Premier League game, they have won.

With this competition being held in Morocco, I'm going for the home team to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time. In the FIFA rankings, Morocco are ranked eleventh and Senegal eighteenth. Both teams have been strong defensively, with Morocco only conceding once and Senegal twice. Last year they played Senegal in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations and won on penalties. Prior to that match, in their last four meetings since 2007, Morocco have beaten Senegal three times and lost once. Both semi-finals went to penalties. However, with this being the final, I'm predicting Morocco to win in ninety minutes.

Top of the table, Barcelona travel to Real Sociedad, where in this fixture last season they lost. Their last La Liga home game saw Real Sociedad draw with Atletico Madrid, and so it is not without hope that they can repeat the success of last season.

HOU Rockets are fifth in the table and have won eight of their last nine home games. Against bottom-of-the-table NO Pelicans, this should be another home win.