Scotland’s Anthony McGill will be hoping to make a good impression when he plays in the first match of the Snooker Shoot-Out on Thursday. The Watford Colosseum will host the three-day event, with the winner eventually taking home £32,000.
World No.16 McGill has endured a frustrating few months on the professional circuit, with his best result coming in November when he reached the third round of the Northern Ireland Open. He was knocked out of the UK Championship and Scottish Open in the second round while Jimmy White eliminated him at the German Masters qualifying. McGill will take on Mark Davis in the first game of the tournament and both players are priced at 17/20 to win.
Davis reached the second round of the German Masters so his confidence will be high ahead of Thursday’s contest. Mark Joyce takes on Alex Davies in an all-English clash, with the former the 4/7 favourite due to his experience on the professional circuit. An all-Scottish clash is also on show when Alan McManus meets Ross Vallance in the afternoon session. McManus is 8/15 to win while Vallance is priced at 11/8.
World number seven Allister Carter is expected to overcome Craig Steadman in his first-round match. Carter suffered a shock defeat to Chen Zifan at the end of last month but his experience should stand him in good stead. The 38-year-old is 8/15 to win while Steadman is priced at 11/8.