Anthony McGill comes up against Stephen Maguire in the Yushan World Open on Thursday seeking to build on his recent fine form. McGill reached the final of the Indian Open in his previous tournament but was well beaten by fellow Scot John Higgins as he slipped to a 5-1 defeat. McGill, who was the defending champion in India, missed out on the chance to add to his two ranking titles although he has enjoyed an impressive start to the season after a quarter-final showing in Riga, and could be set for a successful campaign. Maguire, 36, marched through to the Riga final at the start of the season but has struggled since, with a third-round exit in the China Championship before falling at the first hurdle in the Indian Open.
The world number 21 did thrash compatriot McGill 10-2 in the World Championship in April and that should give him confidence while McGill will be keen to take his revenge. Maguire is the favourite at 4/6 but McGill is the man in the better form and can be backed at 6/5 to claim the win. McGill, the world number 18, also leads the head-to-head 2-1 in the traditional format of the game (ignoring a Snooker Shoot-Out meeting) and will have taken encouragement from his Indian Open performance despite his disappointing showing in the final. McGill is 7/1 to win 5-2 or 11/1 to win 5-1.
Snooker odds available at Dafabet.