Having enjoyed a productive 2022/23 campaign, John Astley started out this season in positive fashion, coming through his initial Championship League group before falling short in the semi-final section.
Unfortunately, just the one win has followed since and arguably the most striking aspect of his defeats is that he’s failed to register a solitary frame on three occasions against Stuart Bingham, Rory Thor and Oliver Lines respectively.
Astley was far more resolute in going down 5-4 to He Guoqiang in a German Masters qualifier in December but it’s very clear that he’s struggling for form at present and on a bad day, a heavy defeat is certainly on the cards
With that in mind, a clash with home favourite and still very much an elite player in MARK WILLIAMS is hardly ideal and while Willo is a warm favourite with the layers at 1/7, he’s even shorter with me to pass this test and as a result, siding with a whitewash looks appealing.
It’s never easy to assess a player like Astley who had a higher base level for quite a while but is nowhere near that standard over what is now a reasonable period of time.
Finally, I can’t resist a very speculative interest on RILEY POWELL at a double-figure price in his all-Welsh clash with fellow teenager Liam Davies.
Whenever I am asked the question as to who I predict will be a future star of the game, I nominate Liam Davies but I must admit I did a double take when I saw the first quote of 1/50 for him in this match.
We are dealing with a best-of-seven here and there’s sure to be big pressure on Davies playing in front of his home supporters.
Yes that’s the same of Powell and he doesn’t have the arena experience of his compatriot but given the circumstances, this could be a nervy affair if Powell can keep tabs on Davies early.
I’m in snooker badger territory here having watched bits of the WSF Junior Championship from Albania last week and Powell came through his group with relative ease.
A 4-1 reversal against the classy Iulian Boiko was a closer game than that scoreline suggests and while he didn’t do a great deal wrong (winning three of his four matches and losing out on frame difference) it should be noted that Davies, the likely tournament favourite were it priced up, failed to come through his initial section.
On Q Tour form there is a gulf in class between the two and of course there’s a real chance Davies wins this easily but at this embryonic stage of both their careers, wild swings in form do happen so I’m going to chance my arm for the huge upset.
Posted at 2150 GMT on 11/11/23
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