Scottish Open Preview: who ends up on top in Edinburgh?
In the first of a series of guest columns from our friends at OLBG, here’s a look ahead to snooker’s Scottish Open, which gets underway on Monday, 11th December. Trusted by over two million users who contribute tips, opinions and insights, the Online Betting Guide is a vibrant sports betting community.
The echoes of clinking balls and hushed whispers will once again reverberate through the Meadowbank Sports Centre as the prestigious 2023 Scottish Open beckons snooker’s finest talents. With the Stephen Hendry Trophy on offer along with an £80,000 first prize, this illustrious tournament hails back to an inaugural 1981 event where Steve Davis claimed a whitewash 9-0 breathtaking display of snooker dominance over Dennis Taylor.
This year’s competition, with Gary Wilson entering the fray as the defending champion, will also see the Northeast’s cue maestro battling it out with a freshly crowned for the 8th time UK champion, Ronnie O’Sullivan, among others. For all the latest markets, visit our sportsbook.
The winner also guarantees a spot in the 2024 Champion of Champions so there is much up for grabs for the victor.
Among the galaxy of stars, Judd Trump enters the tournament with a formidable track record this season, armed with three ranking title victories; he’s the 4/1 favourite this week. Meanwhile, the enigmatic O’Sullivan sails into Edinburgh on the crest of a wave, having secured a remarkable 8th UK Championship title. O’Sullivan is 5/1 for victory. Dual event winners Mark Selby [2019 & 2020] and Neil Robertson [2017 Champ] are there as well as 32Red’s own Mark Allen who won here in 2018 – Allen is a 14/1 shot.
In addition to the £422,000 prize money on offer, there is also £5,000 for the highest break. Fans will be hoping to see a 147, with the event providing eight maximums so far in its history.
Predictions
Peering into the snooker crystal ball, one cannot overlook the compelling narratives that Trump and O’Sullivan bring to the tournament. Trump’s consistency and season’s victories earmark him as a favourite, although he will have to navigate amateur Sydney Wilson in the final qualifier before facing the discovery of the season in Zhang Anda from China in the first round proper.
O’Sullivan’s recent UK Championship triumph and his ability to conjure snooker magic suggest that anything is possible when he has all his skills aligned although a 1st round appearance will rely on a win in the held-over qualifier against homegrown 111th ranked Liam Graham; the winner facing Ben Mertens in the 1st round.
However, snooker’s unpredictability is its most thrilling trait. Wilson, as the defending champion, cannot be discounted, and there will be contenders emerging from the early rounds who could stake their claim to the trophy.
Hossein Vafaei, the Prince of Persia, has been making his way up the rankings and sits in the world top 16 now despite defeat two weeks ago to Ronnie on his way to the UK Championship title. Luca Brecel has yet to recapture the form that saw him lift the World Title in Sheffield last May, but there are signs his game is returning to levels that saw him lift this very trophy in 2021.
In summary, the Scottish Open stands prepared to unfurl another episode of gripping snooker theatre. Whether it will be a tale of continued dominance by Trump, another crowning for O’Sullivan, or an unexpected twist in the narrative, the answer lies in wait on the baize in Edinburgh.
This article was written by Darren Brett, the snooker betting expert at OLBG
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