Dave1962

In his three-frame win over Si Jiahui, there were times when Judd Trump looked back to his very best. Ding needed a deciding frame to get over the line in his last match against Scott Donaldson. The last four times these players have met, Judd Trump has won.

The last four meetings between Judd Trump and Ding Junhui were won by a margin of at least three frames by Judd Trump.

Only five runners in this field but a cracking little race, with all five runners winning last time out. Probably the most impressive of these was the Paul Nicholls-trained No Drama This End. The yard had indicated his next race would be the Challow Hurdle at Newbury at the end of the month, but they have had a change of heart and are sending him to Sandown. Last time out he won a Grade Two race at Cheltenham by three lengths. That race was nearly three weeks ago, so there is every chance he will have fully recovered from those exertions. His three previous runs have all been on left-handed tracks. Providing he is just as effective going right-handed, then every chance No Drama This End can enhance his reputation by winning this race.

Last season Middlesbrough did the double over Hull, and I fancy them to get the win tonight. They are currently second in the table, ten points behind Coventry and five points ahead of eighth-place Hull. Hull's last home game saw them lose to Ipswich, who are also five points behind Middlesbrough in the table. Three of Hull's last five home games have finished with two or fewer goals being scored. With Middlesbrough winning here last season by a single goal while keeping a clean sheet, this could once again be a low-scoring game.

Chelsea are the higher of the two teams in fourth, and Bournemouth are down in fourteenth, five points behind them. I think it is fair to say that Bournemouth are going through a tough spell, having only taken one point from their last five Premiership games. Chelsea came up short away at Leeds in their last match and will be looking for all three points to hold their position in the top four of the table. Prior to losing at Leeds, Chelsea had won their three previous away Premiership games. They won this fixture last season, and I expect them to do so again.

For a team that are ten points clear at the top of the table and have scored fifty goals in their eighteen Championship games, this looks a generous price for a Coventry win. Ipswich have played one game less than Coventry and are sixteen points behind them. With Coventry winning five of their last six away Championship games, I’m backing them to get the win.

In their respective last games, Leeds beat Chelsea at home, whilst Liverpool, also at home, drew with Sunderland. This season Leeds have played seven home Premiership games, which have seen them win three, draw two, and lose two. Liverpool have also played seven away Premiership fixtures, which resulted in three wins and four defeats. Two of those wins came in their opening two away games. With Liverpool lower in the table, take Leeds to once again raise their game and heap more pain on Arne Slot and his team.

Judd Trump has reached the final of this tournament four times in the last fourteen years. He is the defending champion and also won it back in 2011. These longer matches usually bring out the best in Judd Trump. The last person to successfully defend their crown was Ronnie O'Sullivan back in 2018. I'm taking Trump to do the same as 'The Rocket' and win this tournament again.